A few years in the market and HTC has apparently dethroned all smartphone manufacturing biggies to secure the highest share in the U.S. market. According to a recent analytical report issued by Canalys, HTC is the top smartphone vendor in the U.S., while Samsung takes this title in the global scenario.
In recent times, HTC has brought forth an attractive range of Android based devices, which is also supported by handsets operating on the Windows Phone OS. It claimed the lead in smartphone sales in the U.S with over 5.7 million handsets shipped in 3Q11 under its own brand, and an estimated 70,000 units under the T-Mobile brand.
“Nokia has several tough quarters still ahead of it, even in its traditionally strong markets in APAC, such as China,’ explained Nicole Peng, Shanghai-based Canalys Research Director for China while talking about the Finnish giant facing some stiff competition. ‘The recent announcement of its first two Windows Phone devices, however, gives cause for some optimism, and shows that Nokia can still produce innovative and well-designed products. While China is not on Nokia’s initial list of launch countries for its Lumia products, Canalys understands that the market is a key priority for the vendor and expects to see Nokia Windows Phone devices there in the first half of 2012.”
Considering the U.S. scenario, HTC is followed by Samsung and Apple in second and third positions, respectively. The reason for Apple losing out on the top position is expressed to be general disappointment with a next generation iPhone, the expectations for which were high. Instead, users were greeted with an updated 4S model which was, nonetheless, adorned with several welcome features.
In terms of the worldwide smartphone market, Samsung rose to fame with its Galaxy range. The fact that the Korean manufacturer outshone other makers is also attributed to its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S II, which has already crossed the 10 million mark globally.
Irrespective of this positive development for HTC this year, and an evidently encouraging third quarter, Canalys has also spelled out a rough fourth quarter ahead for the Taiwanese firm, as it competes with bigger rivals.