Apple grabs 27 percent share of global LTE handset market
updated 06:25 am EST, Tue December 11, 2012
Apple iPhone 5 makes strong debut at expense of the competition
The latest report by Strategy Analytics gives Apple a 27 percent share of the global LTE smartphone market. In total, the global subscriptions to LTE plans is currently estimated at around 50 million, representing a large increase in LTE sales compared to 2011, when only 9 million users had an LTE connection. Apple’s traction in the LTE space has come at the expense of Samsung, which although retaining the top spot, dropped from a 51 percent share three months ago to 40 percent for Q3.
Others to feel the pinch with the arrival of the LTE-equipped iPhone 5 includes LG, which saw its share of LTE sales slip from 15 percent to 9 percent; this despite launching the critically praised Optimus G with LTE during the quarter. Motorola also felt the pain, dropping from a 15 percent share of the LTE market to just 7 percent suggesting that there is a long way to go before Google is able to turn its fortunes around.
As with smartphone hardware sales in general, Apple and Samsung are dominating the field. However, Samsung was somewhat slow to get its LTE-equipped Galaxy S III out to international markets, with the US and South Korea getting the first models when the Galaxy S III launched. Initial Galaxy S III sales in most other countries were limited to only 3G-equipped variants with 4G models only coming on stream around the launch of the iPhone 5. Despite this, Samsung retains the lion’s share of the LTE smartphone market for the present. [via TNW]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: 12-11-12
Considering the iPhone 5 was only available for 1 week of Q3, this result is astounding!
For the iPhone 5 to capture a 27% share of all LTE subscriptions knocking Samsung from 50% to 40% means Apple must have sold and absolutely gargantuan number of iPhone 5's in that one week.