Strategy Analytics research indicates mobile phone
shipments in the United States defied the economic gloom and grew 6
percent annually, to reach 47 million units during the third quarter of
2008. Samsung outperformed, making it the market leader in the US for
the first time.
Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, "Despite
the financial crisis, mobile phone shipments in the United States
reached 47.4 million units during Q3 2008, up 6.2 percent from 44.6
million in Q3 2007. Attractive bundling schemes from operators, healthy
subsidies and aggressive pre-stocking by distributors ahead of the
holiday season helped to lift volumes."
Bonny Joy, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, "Samsung
had a strong quarter. Samsung registered 22.4% marketshare in the US
during Q3 2008, enabling it to reach first position for the first time
in its history. Samsung's growing retail
presence and an attractive handset portfolio for each of the big four
operators proved crucial in grabbing the prestigious title of the
number one vendor in the world's single largest handset market."