Following its report on Monday, in which it cited that the iPad still leads in terms of global tablet shipments, Strategy Analytics is out with yet another report, today, in which it claims that Apple has, in fact, become the top mobile vendor in the U.S, for the first-time – ever.
According to the research firm’s report, Apple surpassed its market rival Samsung earlier this month to officially become the top mobile phone vendor in the United States – a first for the California-based company.
During its holiday quarter, Apple is said to have shipped 17.7 Million iPhones to its eager customers, which pipped the 16.8 Million mobile phone handsets Samsung is said to have shipped to its customers in the same period.
Placing third in the shipment-based ranking was LG Electronics, who, (in stark comparison), is said to have shipped just 4.7 Million mobile phone handsets in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Full press release follows.
Press Release
February 1st, 2013
Strategy Analytics: Apple Becomes Largest Mobile Phone Vendor in United States in Q4 2012
Boston, MA – February 1, 2013 – According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, mobile phone shipments grew 4 percent annually to reach 52 million units in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2012. Apple became the number one mobile phone vendor for the first time ever, capturing a record 34 percent market share.
Neil Shah, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, “Mobile phone shipments grew 4 percent annually from 50.2 million units in Q4 2011 to 52.0million in the United States in Q4 2012. The growth was driven by robust demand among consumers for 4G smartphones and 3G feature phones. However, despite a solid fourth-quarter performance, the US mobile phone market had previously contracted 16 percent for the first three quarters of 2012 due to economic uncertainty and tighter carrier upgrade policies. As a result, US mobile phone shipments fell 11 percent from 186.8 million units in 2011 to 166.9 million in 2012.”
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “We estimate Apple shipped 17.7 million mobile phones for a record 34 percent share of the United States market in the fourth quarter of 2012. This was up sharply from 12.8 million units shipped and 25 percent share in Q4 2011. Apple has become the number one mobile phone vendor by volume in the United States for the first time ever. Apple’s success has been driven by its popular ecosystem of iPhones and App Store, generous carrier subsidies, and extensive marketing around the new iPhone 5 model. Samsung shipped 16.8 million mobile phones in the United States, for 32 percent share, during Q4 2012. This was a good performance from Samsung, as its market share rose 5 points from 27 percent a year earlier, but it was not enough to hold off a surging Apple. Samsung had been the number one mobile phone vendor in the US since 2008, and it will surely be keen to recapture that title in 2013 by launching improved new models such as the rumored Galaxy S4.”
Linda Sui, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, “LG remains the third largest player in the US mobile phone market. We estimate LG shipped 4.7 million mobile phones for 9 percent share of the United States market in Q4 2012, dipping from 6.9 million units and 14 percent share a year earlier. LG struggled to compete with an Apple and Samsung onslaught in the high-growth smartphone sub-category last year, but LG will be aiming to fight back this year with new and improved models like the Optimus G 4G LTE with Android.”
/ 9to5Mac
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