Nokia Corp

　　Nokia Corp. retained its leadership on the market of mobile phones in the third quarter as sales of smartphones in Q3 2011 slowed down. At the same time, shipments of Apple iPhones declined quarter-over-quarter and it may be the time for Samsung Electronics to try the crown of the largest smartphone vendor, a victory both for Samsung and Google Android.
The worldwide mobile phone market grew 12.8% year over year in the third quarter of 2011 (Q3 2011), as smartphone growth declined in key mature markets. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), vendors shipped 393.7 million units in Q3 2011 compared to 348.9 million units in the third quarter of 2010. However, the 12.8% growth was higher than IDC's forecast of 9.3% for the quarter and stronger than the 9.8% growth in Q2 2011.

　　It was also the second-lowest growth rate for the overall mobile phone market over the past two years; a reflection of delayed smartphone purchases and conservative consumer spending last quarter. Economically mature regions, such as the United States and Western Europe, were hardest hit as shipment volume to both regions declined on a year-over-year basis.
“The combination of economic uncertainty and anticipation over fourth quarter or late third quarter product releases caused some consumers to delay their smartphone purchases. Many waited for products such as the iPhone 4S, which was announced after the quarter closed, or Research in Motion's BlackBerry 7 phone series, which were released in the final weeks of the quarter,” said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's worldwide mobile phone tracker.