Smartphone Market grows 42% as Samsung shipments grow 173%

 Global Marketshare of Smartphones, 2012

Global Marketshare Mobile Phone ,2012

A recent study by market research firm IDC revealed the smartphone market grew 42.1% in the second quarter of 2012, while the worldwide mobile phone market grew just 1% year-over-year. Smartphone vendors shipped 153.9 million handsets in the second quarter of 2012, compared to 108.3 units in the second quarter of 2011.

Samsung (005930) extended its lead over Apple during the second quarter  led by the launch of its flagship Galaxy S III smartphone and the continued success of its Galaxy Note  the vendor was able top the 50 million unit mark, shipping 50.2 million handsets and reach a new quarterly smartphone shipment record. Samsung  smartphone shipments grew a whopping 172.8% year-over-year and helped the company capture 32.6% of the market.

Samsung’s closest rival, Apple, benefited from offering of the iPhone through smaller regional carriers and prepaid service providers, which helped  Apple to sell around 26 million units and capture 16.9% of the market. 

Samsung is estimated to have shipped more than 49 million smartphones in the quarter, including 7 million Galaxy S III units (which is expected to reach 20 million in the next quarter).