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Samsung No. 1 in Smartphone Market, but Apple Will Bite Back Says Juniper Research

Samsung Shipped 24.9 Million Smartphones in Q3, No. 1 in Market; Early iPhone 4S Sales Suggest Improvement on 17.1 Million for Apple; HTC Doubles Shipments Year-on-Year to 13.2 Million

Data from leading mobile analyst firm Juniper Research shows that Samsung has taken the lead over Apple during Q3. 22% of 115 million smartphones shipped were from the Korean giant, compared with Apple's 15%. While Apple continues to find success with its premium iPhone range, its main rival is finding success with handsets at a range of price points. Flagship model, the Galaxy S II has continued the success of the first generation device, while compelling new smartphones including Galaxy Note (5.3" display) are poised to shake-up the market.

Apple about to bite back with Siri
However, with Apple's iPhone 4S selling 4 million in the first three days, Samsung will have to pull-out all the stops to keep the Cupertino, CA-based company from re-taking top spot. Daniel Ashdown, Research Analyst with Juniper Research notes: "While the 4S is essentially an iPhone 4 with hardware upgrades, Siri is going to be a killer app for Apple. And the continuation of the iPhone 4 and 3GS in effect positions the company's handsets at a range of price points, without losing their premium image."

Don't forget HTC, and Nokia stops the rot
Taiwan-based HTC has doubled its shipments year-on-year in Q3 to 13.2 million overtaking Blackberry-maker RIM (11.9 million, down 8% y-o-y). Meanwhile, Nokia's shipments improved q-o-q, after two successive declines. And with the Finnish company's first Windows Phone 7 handset coming out, things may be looking up for Nokia. In Q3 the company shipped 16.8 million smartphones, up slightly from the 16.7 million in Q2.

A free whitepaper 'The Smartphone Opportunity' and further details of Juniper's report, 'Smartphone Evolution Strategies: Premium, Standard & Economy Markets 2011-2016' are available at www.juniperresearch.com. Alternatively, please contact Jessica Hanslip at jess.hanslip@juniperresearch.com, telephone +44(0)1256 830001.

Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector, providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary.