Strategy Analytics may have detailed Apple's ascent to the top of the smartphone charts, but there's still no shifting Finnish rival Nokia as the world's top mobile manufacturer.
That's despite a 20 percent year on year slide in shipments, falling to 88.8 million units across the most recent quarter according to IDC figures.
Feature phones first
It's the comparison between Nokia's smartphone shipments detailed by Strategy Analytics and IDC's take on the firm's overall business that's most telling.
Nokia's continued dominance of the feature phone market is undeniable, but its position in the face of iOS and Android is weakening as the quarters pass.
It's closest rival Samsung saw overall shipments jump 10 percent.
However, it's Samsung's smartphone business that's driving the Korean firm's ascent, making up more than 27 percent of Samsung's shipments throughout the quarter.
In contrast, smartphones make up 19 percent of Nokia's shipments.
Loss for LG
"The shrinking feature phone market is having the greatest impact on some of the world's largest suppliers of mobile phones," said senior research analyst Kevin Restivo.
"Stalwarts such as Nokia are losing share in the feature phone category to low-cost suppliers such as Micromax, TCL-Alcatel, and Huawei."
Both Nokia and Samsung are miles ahead of the competition, however.
In third spot is LG, with 24.8 million units sold. The firm recently posted a $51 million loss, despite a 50 percent rise in shipments from the previous quarter.
Eyes on Apple
It's Apple that will generate the most headlines, owing to 141.8 percent jump in shipments year on year.
The Cupertino firm is said to be thriving in China owing to strong demand for iPhone 4.
Interestingly, Apple is also generating momentum in developing economies markets typically dominated by both Nokia and, more recently, fifth placed firm ZTE.
The Chinese manufacturer enjoys a strong presence in its home market, but its appeal broadened out worldwide in the most recent quarter, with shipments up 36 percent to 16.5 million units.
[source: IDC]
Data & Research
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
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