Samsung Easily Tops Apple to Become World's Top Smartphone Manufacturer

by

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Samsung had overtaken Apple for the title of world's top-selling smartphone manufacturer, relying on a source who indicated that Samsung had shipped over 20 million smartphones in the third quarter, compared to Apple's announced sales of 17.1 million iPhones.

Samsung today officially announced its financial results for the third quarter, and while it no longer releases smartphone sales units, it did disclose that smartphone sales were up more than 40% over the previous quarter. With Samsung having been close on Apple's heels during the second quarter and Apple's sales declining in the third quarter as customers waited for the iPhone 4S, that growth enabled Samsung to easily surpass Apple in the smartphone segment.

strategy analytics q311 smartphones
Research firm Strategy Analytics has released its data on smartphone shipments for the third quarter, pegging Samsung at 27.8 million units while Apple barely edged out Nokia for second place by a margin of 17.1 million units to 16.8 million units.

Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “After just one quarter in the top spot, Apple slipped behind Samsung to second position and captured 15 percent share. Apple’s global smartphone growth rate slowed to just 21 percent annually in Q3 2011, its lowest level for two years. We believe Apple’s growth during the third quarter was affected by consumers and operators awaiting the launch of the new iPhone 4S in the fourth quarter, volatile economic conditions in several key countries, and tougher competition from Samsung’s popular Galaxy S2 model.”

While Apple is expecting all-time record iPhone sales during the current quarter as the iPhone 4S rolls out around the world, it still may not be enough to overcome Samsung's significant lead and strong growth.

In the overall mobile phone market, Strategy Analytics pegged Apple in fifth place, slipping behind ZTE compared to the previous quarter. Apple's share of the total market fell to 4.4%, down from 5.6% in the second quarter.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Read Full Article • 35 comments
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Read Full Article
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Read Full Article • 141 comments
Apple TV Color

Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year

Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026. The new series: Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026 Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026 Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026 Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026 Cape Fear — June 5, 2026 Lucky — July 15, 2026 The new films: Eternity — ...
Read Full Article • 59 comments
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Models at Lower Prices

Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices. Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024: iPhone 16: $799 iPhone 16 Plus: $899 iPhone 16 Pro:...
Read Full Article • 37 comments

Top Rated Comments

koobcamuk Avatar
koobcamuk
186 months ago
Doesn't stop the fact that Apple have possibly the most elegant phone ever made:

(http://martindesu.tumblr.com/)

(photo from my tumblr)

... and the OS is just as good.
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSee Avatar
iSee
186 months ago
I'm happy with this...

I'm pretty much married to iOS platform and don't want to start over with andriod. But this is the kind of thing that will hopefully get Apple to shore up the holes in iOS.

E.g., yesterday I was dying for Siri to turn-by-turn directions.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiljoy616 Avatar
kiljoy616
186 months ago
Good for them, I like to see more of this, I don't want Apple to sit on their past gains after this is Apple, the company that brings "magic to life" what other company do people get so excited that they can't wait to see what else they bring out.

I dont' care if Apple is 2 or 4th what I care is they keep Steve Jobs legacy alive and keep bringing things we want and haters unable to control their fits. :rolleyes:
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve's Barber Avatar
Steve's Barber
186 months ago
I love how people always equate every other brand other then Apple to be piles of junk. Comments like that are why I'm embarrassed and literally hide the fact I use :apple: products.

I know how you feel.

Granted, MR seems to draw all the giggling teenies and iWorshipers but sometimes their pom-pom waving around here creates way too much of a breeze.

It's really embarrassing.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafterman Avatar
Rafterman
186 months ago
I have to laugh at reading some of these posts and the lengths at which people will wear their rose colored glasses when it concerns Apple. I own as many Apple products as anyone - A Macbook Pro, a Macbook Air, a Mac Mini, an iMac, 64GB iPad 2, 64GB iPhone 4S, two Apple TV's and several thousand dollars over the years in iTunes content. So I am as much of "fanboy" as anyone.

But the mere mention of a company, product or service even suggested as being superior to Apple will drive some people to insanity. Some people need to get a grip. Apple is just a company, not a religion. Yikes.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Funkymonk Avatar
Funkymonk
186 months ago
PC's outsells Macs

"who cares if PC sells more, it's not about market share, it's about the quality of the product and Macs are better. They simply just are!"

Apple Outsells everyone else

"APPLE IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST, THEY SELL MORE THAN EVERYONE ELSE, ISN'T IT OBVIOUS TO YOU THAT APPLE IS THE BEST, JUST LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. LOOOK AT THE NUMBAHHHSSSS!!!

Samsung outsells Apple

"who cares if samsung sold more, it's not about market share, it's about the quality of the product and iPhones are better. They simply just are!"



lol :p I like apple products more too but there's a lot of hypocrisy going on here
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments