Follow its September release, the iPhone 5 has become the world’s best selling smartphone with more than 27m handsets sold in the final three months of 2012, latest figures have revealed.
According to figures collated by research firm Strategy Analytics, the iPhone 5 is now the world’s best selling handset, overtaking bitter rival the Samsung Galaxy S3 which has dropped to third behind another Apple handset, the iPhone 4S, bolstered by price cuts caused by the iPhone 5’s arrival. The latest figure give Apple bragging rights in the ongoing iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 battle that has been raging in the smartphone markets.
With Apple’s iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S accounting for a staggering 1 in 5 of all smartphones shipped worldwide during Q4 2012, the newly announced figures have revealed that iPhone 5 sales for the final three months of 2012 saw 27.4 million handsets sold, a 13 per cent share of the entire smartphone market.
“A rich touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the iPhone 5’s success,” the Strategy Analytics report suggested.
With the iPhone 4S shifting a further 17.4 million units during the same three month period, eight per cent of the smartphone market, Samsung’s former world topper, the Samsung Galaxy S3 could only manage third in the global chart following sales of 15.4 million units, hampered by reports of an upcoming Samsung Galaxy S4 release date.
Discussing the handset’s declining sales, a Strategy Analytics spokesperson stated: “Global demand for the Galaxy S3 appears to have peaked and Samsung will surely be keen to introduce its rumoured Galaxy S4 upgrade in the coming weeks to fight back against Apple’s popular iPhone range.”
Showing growing interest in the smartphone sector, the latest figures have revealed that global smartphone sales for Q4 topped 217 million units, up considerably on the 172 million handsets shifted in the preceding three month period.
What is your favourite smartphone available right now? Does the iPhone 5 top the Samsung Galaxy S3 in your eyes or is the Android handset the way to go? Share your thoughts on the matter with us via the TrustedReviews Twitter and Facebook feeds or through the comment boxes below.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
