Galaxy S3 takes smartphone crown

Strategy Analytics says the Galaxy S3's lead will be short-lived, as the iPhone 5 is expected to be the bestselling smartphone for the fourth quarter.

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Samsung's flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S3, has overtaken Apple's iPhone 4S to become the best-selling smartphone for the third quarter of this year.

This is according to research firm Strategy Analytics, which says 18 million Galaxy S3 units were shipped in Q3, compared to the 16.2 million iPhone 4S handsets that were shipped worldwide. According to Strategy Analytics, extensive distribution and generous operator subsidies have led to the S3 taking the top spot.

"The Galaxy S3 captured an impressive 11% share of all smartphones shipped globally and it has become the world's best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever," says Strategy Analytics. The research firm does, however, add that the S3's lead is likely to be short-lived, and iPhone 4S sales declined in the third quarter as consumers held off for the iPhone 5.

"The Apple iPhone 5 has gotten off to a solid start already, with an estimated six million units shipped globally during Q3 2012. We expect the new iPhone 5 to out-ship Samsung's Galaxy S3 in the coming fourth quarter of 2012 and Apple should soon reclaim the title of the world's most popular smartphone model."

According to a recent report by ABI Research, Samsung shipped more than double the number of smartphones as Apple overall in the third quarter.

While worldwide handset shipments decreased 1.9% year-on-year, to 387.3 million units in the third quarter, smartphone shipments increased 32.8% year-on-year, to 155.5 million, over the same period. Smartphone shipments accounted for 40.2% of all handset shipments for the quarter.

In the premium smartphone segment, it remains a two-horse race between Samsung and Apple. Earlier this year, it was reported that Samsung and Apple together accounted for 55% of global smartphone shipments, and 90% of the market's profits.

Strategy Analytics' statistics for global smartphone shipments and market share by model for the third quarter are as follows: