Data & Research

Gap between Apple and Samsung narrows as asymco weighs up mobile market in Q3 2011

Nokia slips to third as HTC and RIM tie for fourth

Gap between Apple and Samsung narrows as asymco weighs up mobile market in Q3 2011

Going beyond handset shipments or company profits, asymco's round up of the top mobile performers in Q3 2011 – dubbed Asymco Mobile Performance (AMP) – has proclaimed Apple as the dominant OEM.But only just.A review of the firm's summaries since 2007 show that, following a steady rise over the course of the last four years, Apple is now being pegged by Android favourite Samsung.Trading placesThe firm's evaluation – which combines both global handsets sales and smartphone share with profit and revenue figures – depicts Samsung on the up and up as Apple stablises in top spot. Meanwhile, former top dog Nokia has seen its share eroded massively over the course of the last four years, though the Finnish firm still remains in third spot.Also dropping down the league are RIM – now tied with HTC - and Motorola, while Sony Ericsson appears little more than a bit part player."Like many indices, this is a generalisation that measures a section of reality," asymco's Horace Dediu said of the results."The value is in its use as a benchmark and trend analysis."


With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.