Samsung Galaxy S3 Overtakes iPhone To Become World's Best-Selling Smartphone

It's not Apple's iPhone, at least for now - Samsung has shipped more Galaxy S III smartphones in the third quarter than Apple shipped its iPhone 4S units. While the surge in Samsung's popularity has taken the crown away from Apple, it remains to be seen how long the South Korean electronics firm would manage to adorn the title.

According to a recently released report from research firm Strategy Analytics, Samsung's Galaxy S III smartphone model shipped 18 million units worldwide during the third quarter of 2012 while Apple fell short of forecasted sales with an estimated shipment of 16.2 million iPhone 4S in the same quarter.

"The Galaxy S3 captured an impressive 11 percent share of all smartphones shipped globally and it has become the world's best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever. A large touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the Galaxy S3's success," Neil Shah, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said.

Galaxy S III grew to be a prominent force in the smartphone business among consumers and operators across North America, Europe and Asia. However, the numbers are soon expected to change and its life as the world's best-selling smartphone model is likely to be short-lived. As iPhone 5 has made a strong entry into the market with an estimated 6.0 million units shipped globally during the third quarter and with more units expected in the coming months, analysts predict that the latest Apple product will out-ship Samsung's Galaxy S3 in the coming fourth quarter of 2012 and Apple would soon reclaim the title of the world's most popular smartphone model.

Adequate availability of iPhone 5 units in the market is unlikely to meet the massive demand for the product. Moreover, Foxconn chief Terry Gou has recently admitted that his firm can't meet the huge demand for Apple's new iPhone 5 due to design-related production difficulties.

"Our shipments are insufficient given the huge market demand. It's not easy to make the iPhones. We are falling short of meeting the huge demand," the Taiwanese's manufacturing firms chairman said on the sidelines of a business forum. Therefore, Apple's plans of reclaiming the top title entirely depend on how soon Foxconn can manufacture more products.