Apple's iPhones were the top three most popular smartphones in the United States for all of 2011, according to comScore's 2012 Mobile Future in Focus whitepaper. NPD reported similar results for the months of October and November, when the iPhone 4S was the most popular smartphone in the country after it was released.

comscoretopphones
For the full year, the iPhone 4S was the country's third most popular smartphone model, beating every other non iPhone model, even though it was only on sale for the final three months of the year. As they were on sale for the full 12 months, both the iPhone 4 and 3GS outsold the iPhone 4S. In fourth place was a single BlackBerry model, followed by the only Android device on the list: the HTC Evo 4G -- a Sprint exclusive, and the first 4G phone available in the US.

Top Rated Comments

bigjnyc Avatar
180 months ago
No wonder Samsung is going at the iPhone so hard in their ads :D
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Awfisch Avatar
180 months ago
I seriously laughed so hard when I saw this. First of all, the iPhone 4S had only been out for 3 months, yet it beat out all non-iPhone competitors. Secondly, the iPhone 3GS is 3 years old! The oldest model that Apple sells is still out selling all of these "Blockbuster" smartphones!

Apple is laughing all the way to the bank with this one! But watch out! I hear that Samsung Note is going to be a huge hit! A stylus is the way of the future. :p
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bigjnyc Avatar
180 months ago
So how does Android have all this market share?

Massive fragmentation. Many manufacturers with lots of models each. No one dominant model.

It's split between a ****-ton of OEMs.

EDIT: already answered.

I'll just leave this here anyway.

Not to mention the fact that they update their models every 2 weeks. I feel like the Droid RAZR came out and 2 weeks later they had the RAZR max or whatever it is.... and Samsung has a new model every other day.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlgolson Avatar
180 months ago
So how does Android have all this market share?
Massive fragmentation. Many manufacturers with lots of models each. No one dominant model.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrxak Avatar
180 months ago
Considering the 4S was only available for two and a half months in 2011, that's pretty impressive it beat out every single other company's phones.


Image (http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/3573/120223topsmartphones201.jpg)
I'm sure if Apple had rolled out the 4S quicker in Europe, the top three spots would have looked the same for both charts.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BJMRamage Avatar
180 months ago
that's kind of the beauty of a limited stock/type.

They get news of this. Sure Android is selling/giving away more phones but that is from many manufacturers. Apple cam still EASILY say they have the #1, 2 and 3 Phones in the US. and Top in worldwide markets, they aren't shelling out more OS but more phones of the same type than the others.

Ask someone what iPhone they have and you pretty much know how old/new it is, etc. ask an Android and then you need an explanation...is that the latest, "No, the MaxG Force RAZR is, but i figure mine is just 2 months old, I might 3 more and then get the MaxGForce Lightning Probe RAZR then. I hear it'll be great."
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

Friday November 28, 2025 8:39 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple...
Cyber Monday Deals 2025

Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Now that Black Friday is in the rearview mirror, Cyber Monday discounts have begun appearing online, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may ...