Apple Overtakes Samsung to Become Largest Mobile Phone Vendor in U.S.

Apple overtook Samsung as the market leader in mobile phones in the United States for the final quarter of 2012, reports Strategy Analytics, though Samsung still led for the year as a whole. The development marks the first time Apple has held the top spot in overall mobile phone shipments.

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The technology analysts estimate that a total of 52 million mobile phones were shipped in the U.S. last quarter, with Apple accounting for 17.7 million of them, Samsung for 16.8 million and LG a distant third with 4.7 million. Samsung had held the top spot since 2008 before being dethroned by Apple.

Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawston said:

We estimate Apple shipped 17.7 million mobile phones for a record 34 percent share of the United States market in the fourth quarter of 2012. This was up sharply from 12.8 million units shipped and 25 percent share in Q4 2011. Apple has become the number one mobile phone vendor by volume in the United States for the first time ever. Apple’s success has been driven by its popular ecosystem of iPhones and App Store, generous carrier subsidies, and extensive marketing around the new iPhone 5 model.

The firm believes, however, that Samsung may retake the title when it launches its rumored Galaxy S4.

Meantime, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit yesterday rejected Apple's renewed attempt to ban sales of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, as noted by AllThingsD. Apple was initially awarded an injunction which prohibited sales of the Nexus in the long-running patent battle between the two companies, but this was overturned in October. This now exhausts Apple's appeal options, making the latest decision final.

Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

slesnick3 Avatar
159 months ago
Not Really ... Title Misleading

Just pointing out that Apple took the lead for the last quarter most likely due to the timing of the release of the Iphone 5. Samsung was still significantly ahead for the entire year. The title of this article is a bit misleading and reads as though this is some sort of mega competition ala Super Bowl.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cxny Avatar
159 months ago
oh no! More good news, AAPL will take a pounding...
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
c0venant Avatar
159 months ago
Samsung has like, a bajillion different phones for sale. Apple releases one phone per year.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mmikuta Avatar
159 months ago
Here it Comes, Another Thread Obsessing on the Wrong Thing

Time to shift the conversation. Apple is no longer in danger of going out of business like is was in the 90's. This was Steve's greatest accomplishment. Apple now has the ecosystem to carry it long into the future. Let others obsess with profits and marketshare. We want continued great design and polished innovation. The rest will take of itself.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brdeveloper Avatar
159 months ago
Only in USA, at christmas time. Nice stats, they really clarify the market's reality.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazard Avatar
159 months ago
The Important figure here is the YOY growth for Apple and the lack of said growth for Samsung. It also should be mentioned that Apple only has 3 phones for sale, while Samsung has like ~10x that amount on the market.
you're disregarding the fact that if a person wants iOS, they only have one choice, Apple. If a person wants Android, they have the option of Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Sony, LG, etc. So for you to argue about the discrepancy of models offered by each company is a moot point.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)