Apple's iPhone 5 officially passed Samsung's Galaxy S 3 last quarter to become the top-selling smartphone in the world according to a report released by Strategy Analytics.
For the fourth quarter of 2012, Apple sold 27.4 million phones globally, which represented 12.6 of the overall market. Samsung meanwhile sold 15.4 million S 3 devices, representing 7.1 of the market. Shipments and the company's market share both were down overall from the third quarter according to Strategy Analytics.
Apple's iPhone 4S finished second in the fourth quarter, a head of the S3, with shipments of approximately 17.4 million and a market share of 8 percent according to CNET.com.
"Apple's iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S together accounted for 1 in 5 of all smartphones shipped worldwide in Q4 2012," Strategy Analytics executive director Neil Mawston said in a press statement. "This was an impressive performance, given the iPhone portfolio's premium pricing.
Neil Shah, a Strategy Analytics senior analyst, stated that the success of the new iPhone, which was released in September, could be attributed to a combination of things. Holiday shoppers looking for gifts for friends and loved ones played a big role in the increase, as did the "rich touchscreen design, and generous operator subsidies" according to Shah.
While Samsung is certainly disappointed with the numbers, they'll be looking to regain the "upper hand" when they release the next Galaxy S smartphone. The company has a scheduled event planned for March 14 in New York City where they're expected to announce plans for the Galaxy S IV.
The new iPhone isn't expected to be released until late 2013.
"Samsung's Galaxy S III has long proven wildly popular with consumers and operators across North America, Europe, and Asia," said Mawston in a press statement. "However, global demand for the Galaxy S III appears to have peaked and Samsung will surely be keen to introduce its rumored Galaxy S IV upgrade in the coming weeks to fight back against Apple's popular iPhone range."
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