As predicted, Samsung has been named as the world's top smartphone vendor in Q3 2011 according to Canalys, with the Korean giant edging ahead of former top dog Apple after just one quarter at the summit.

The figures – which follow those published by Strategy Analytics – suggest Samsung shipped 27.3 million smartphones across the quarter, with Apple pushed into third place as Nokia reclaimed second spot.

Interestingly, however, while Samsung is top dog globally, HTC has been named by Canalys as the largest player in the most valuable smartphone market, the US.

Hopping on with HTC

HTC shipped 5.7 million smartphones to the US market in Q3 2011, handing it almost a quarter of the market.

Samsung took second spot with 4.9 million units, with Apple slipping back into third with 4.6 million units shipped.

"However you count it, HTC has become a deserved leader in the US smart phone market," said Canalys VP and principal analyst Chris Jones.

"This is an awesome achievement for HTC, which has built a premium brand in a highly competitive market in just a few short years.

"It now has a strong range of 4G Android products, with devices ranged by each of the major carriers, and offers some of the most compelling and differentiated products found on the platform today."

Running down RIM

Elsewhere, Canalys believes many former mobile masters are suffering tough times.

RIM's volumes dropped 58 percent in the US compared to the same period in 2010, with its market share falling 24 percent as a result.

"RIM's market share has fallen below 10 percent for the first time, and the current outlook for it in the US is certainly bleak," added senior analyst Tim Shepherd.

"While Apple can for now get away with not having a 4G smart phone, no other vendor in the US can. RIM must deliver a competitive high-end 4G smart phone in early 2012."

Nokia, meanwhile, has had its own problems of late, though Canalys believes its first two Windows Phones are inspiring buoyancy within the market as to the firm's future fortunes.

"The recent announcement of its first two Windows Phone devices, however, gives cause for some optimism, and shows that Nokia can still produce innovative and well-designed products," concluded research director Nichola Peng.

"While China is not on Nokia's initial list of launch countries for its Lumia products, Canalys understands that the market is a key priority for the vendor and expects to see Nokia Windows Phone devices there in the first half of 2012."

In all, Canalys reports the worldwide market grew 49 percent year-on-year, hitting a quarterly total of 120.4 million smartphones.

[source: Canalys]