Apple Overtakes Samsung as Top U.S. Phone Maker

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A new report from Strategy Analytics indicates that Apple sold more smartphones than Samsung in the U.S. in the fourth quarter. That means for the first time ever, Apple was the top mobile phone vendor for the U.S. market.

TechCrunch’s Natasha Lomas reported, “Apple took the title of largest mobile maker by volume in the U.S. in Q4 2012, according to Strategy Analytics, which said Cupertino rose to the top of the U.S. phone maker charts for the first time ever — taking a record 34 per cent market share, and shipping an estimated 17.7 million units in the quarter. Samsung came second, with a 32.3 per cent share, shipping 16.8 million smartphones. Third place went to LG — but the company was far behind Apple and Samsung, with only a nine per cent share, and shipments of 4.7 million units.”

Engadget’s Mat Smith added, “The analytics firm reckons that 52 million devices were shipped in Q4, increasing just short of 2 million units since the same period last year. However, it also noted that annual sales in the US were actually less in 2012 than in the preceding year, dropping just under 20 million units in the interim. Strategy Analytics pointed the finger at economic uncertainty and tougher carrier upgrade policies for the drop in shipments.”

The Inquirer quoted Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, who said, “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 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.”

PCMag’s Adario Strange commented, “These latest numbers support the recent comments made by Apple CEO Tim Cook during a conference call with analysts last month, during which he reported record sales of iPhones and iPads in recent months. However, despite the company’s record numbers, Wall Street analysts remain skeptical of Apple’s streamlined product offerings versus the diverse line-up sold by Samsung.”