Galaxy S III overtakes iPhone 4S as bestseller

A research firm says that Samsung's Galaxy S III overtook Apple's iPhone 4S as the world's best-selling smartphone for the first time in the third quarter.

Boston-based Strategy Analytics said on Thursday that the S III shipped 18 million units in the third quarter of this year. Apple's iPhone 4S, meanwhile, shipped 16.2 million units, as many people likely held off to buy its successor. Apple launched the iPhone 5 on September 21.

Strategy Analytics' executive director, Neil Mawston, says the Galaxy's top position is likely to be short-lived. The iPhone 5 sold an estimated 6 million units in the third quarter, which ended on September 30.

Apple shares continued their recent decline in morning trading, falling $8.62, less than 2%, to $549.38. The stock was over $700 two months ago.

Strategy Analytics executive director Neil Mawston said the Galaxy S III has proven wildly popular with consumers and operators across North America, Europe and Asia. "However, the Galaxy S III's position as the world's best-selling smartphone model is likely to be short-lived."

"The Apple iPhone 5 has gotten off to a solid start already with an estimated 6.0 million units shipped globally during Q3 2012.We expect the new iPhone 5 to out-ship Samsung's Galaxy S III in the coming fourth quarter of 2012 and Apple should soon reclaim the title of the world's most popular smartphone model," he added.

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