Apple Has Become The #1 Vendor Of Mobile Phones In U.S. For The First Time

According to a new research from Strategy Analytics, Apple outstripped Samsung for the first time ever to become the number one vendor of mobile phones in U.S. The report notes that Apple sold 17.7 million iPhones during the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 16.8 million sold by Samsung and 4.7 million sold by LG holding the third place.

Given that LG and Samsung sell a great number of feature phones as well as very inexpensive smartphones, Apple has achieved a remarkable feat selling more than one out of every three mobile phones. Executive Director at Strategy Analytics Neil Mawston said:

“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.

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.”