The latest figures from research firm IDC for Q3 2010 paint a familiar picture.
Yet again, Nokia is crowned as the world's top mobile vendor, despite increased competition from its Asian based rivals, while Apple's hand in the market has strengthened following a surge in iPhone shipments.
As such, it's no surprise that IDC believes mobile shipments as a whole rose across the quarter, topping 340 million units compared to just over 297 million units in the same quarter the previous year.
Accelerating Apple
In total, the worldwide mobile phone market grew by 14.6 percent the fourth consecutive double quarter of double digit growth.
It's an expansion that can be easily explained, in IDC senior research analyst Kevin Restivo's view, with the launch of iPhone 4 the success of which makes Apple the fourth largest mobile vendor in the world pushing the market forward as a whole.
"The entrance of Apple to the top 5 vendor ranking underscores the increased importance of smartphones to the overall market," said Restivo.
"Moreover, the mobile phone makers that are delivering popular smartphone models are among the fastest growing firms. Vendors that aren't developing a strong portfolio of smartphones will be challenged to maintain and grow market share in the future."
Numb Nokia
In all, iPhone shipments were up 90.5 percent in Q3 2010, with 14.1 million units delivered across the quarter.
That hands Apple a market share of 4.1 percent and placing it ahead of rival RIM, which shipped 12.4 million handsets for a 3.6 percent share.
Nokia, however, remains comfortably at the top of the tree, its 110.4 million units shipped a rise of just under 2 percent year-on-year - easily eclipsing its nearest rival Samsung on 71.4 million units and third place LG on 28.4 million.
Nonetheless, its share of the market has fallen since Q3 2009, its previous 36.5 percent share dropping to 32.4 percent in the last quarter.
[source: IDC]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
as
News
Dec 20th, 2016
China's mobile eSports industry expected to generate $2.6 billion in revenue in 2016
News
Oct 30th, 2014
Smartphone wars: Samsung and Apple lead the way but Xiaomi, Lenovo and LG are catching up
Top Stories
News
10 hours, 40 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squad Busters goes global, broken app stores, and Hill Climb Racing gets the LEGO treatment
News
12 hours, 51 minutes ago
Stumble Guys welcomes Looney Tunes characters in latest high-profile crossover
News
10 hours, 40 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squad Busters goes global, broken app stores, and Hill Climb Racing gets the LEGO treatment
News
May 31st, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
Indie Game Fest & Indie Campus 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Game Access Conference 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Indie Craft K-Game Festival 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Gaymer Pride | North America | Jun 1st |
BostonFig Online 2024 | Jun 1st | |
GameSummit Summer 2024 | Jun 1st | |
Gotland Game Conference 2024 | Nordic | Jun 3rd |
Games Mental Health Summit 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |