Samsung First in US Cell Phone Shipments in Q3 2008, Says Strategy Analytics

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, mobile phone shipments in the US defied the economic gloom and grew 6% 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 US reached 47.4 million units during Q3 2008, up 6.2% 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."