Apple now the third largest phone manufacturer in the world
Apple has now nabbed third place as the biggest phone manufacturer in the world, according to IDC.
IDC, “the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets”, reports Apple has jumped to third place as the world’ biggest phone manufacturer, leaping over LG and ZTE. In Q4 2011, it held at fifth place.
In its report, it said, “Apple jumped into the third spot globally from the fifth spot last quarter thanks to a record-breaking quarter of shipments. That represents the Cupertino-based company’s highest-ever ranking on IDC’s Top 5 global mobile phone leaderboard. The launch of Apple’s iPhone 4S smartphone, which is now available in over 90 countries (as of mid-January), was the primary reason the company leapt over LG and ZTE in 4Q11. Device sales in the U.S. and Japan were particularly strong given extra sales days in the quarter and carrier distribution.”
Apple now accounts for 8.7% of the global market, due to the 37 million iPhones, mostly consisting of the iPhone 4S, it shifted in Q4 2011. These handsets consist of the iPhone 3G S, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S.
In second place is Samsung, selling 97.6 million handsets in Q4 2011. In first place is the Finnish phone manufacturer Nokia, selling 113.5 million handsets in Q4 2011.
Although Nokia enjoys the top position, according to IDC, Nokia’s shares are slipping away. It is down approximately 7.9%.
Do you think Apple has a chance of beating Samsung in the market share race, or do you think Samsung is too far ahead? Give us your thoughts.
