The study, entitled ‘IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker’ said that Samsung and Apple were the major beneficiaries of the mobile phone market growth, even as Nokia was upstaged from the Top 5 list of smartphone vendors.
The worldwide smartphone market saw vendors shipping 179.7 million units in 3Q12, up from 123.7 million units in 3Q11. The growth of 45.3% year-over-year marginally surpassed IDC’s forecast of 45.2% for the quarter.
Research In Motion clawed its way back into the Top 5 smartphone list.
IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker senior research analyst Kevin Restivo said Nokia’s share losses have meant gains for competitors.
"The company’s transition away from Symbian-powered smartphones to ones shipped with Windows Phone has left ample opportunity for rivals to steal share away from Nokia over the past 18 months. However, the smartphone market is still relatively nascent, which means there’s room for multiple vendors and operating systems to flourish, including Nokia," added Restivo.
Motorola, which was at one time the number 3 smartphone vendor worldwide, is redirecting itself under its parent company Google, said the research company.
IDC expects growth in shipment demand to increase in the long-term for mobile phone and smartphone due to the key role being played by mobile phones in people’s lives.
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Samsung retained the top position in the worldwide smartphone market shipments, accounting for more than 31% market share in a single quarter.
The South Korean firm’s growth is attributed to its Android portfolio, which is deep.
A total of 26.9 million units of Apple iPhones were shipped in the quarter.
Research In Motion, ZTE and HTC occupied the third, fourth and fifth spots respectively in the Top 5 smartphone vendors list.
