Apple overtakes LG as the third largest handset manufacturer in 2011 as it led the way with 19 per cent of the market
Global smartphone sales grew 58 per cent to 472 million units last year, according to research firm Gartner, with Apple leading the market with a 19 per cent share.
Smartphone sales during Q4 grew to 149 million units, a 47.3 per cent increase from the same quarter in 2010. Volumes during the quarter were driven by sales of the Apple iPhone 4S (pictured).
Apple became the third largest mobile manufacturer in the world, overtaking LG, as it also became the world’s top smartphone manufacturer, with a market share of 23.8 per cent in the quarter.
Nokia’s share of the market continued to slide last year, from 28.9 per cent in 2010 to 23.8 per cent in 23.8 per cent in 2011. Samsung continued to be Nokia’s closest rival, raising its share of the market slightly yo 17.7 per cent.
