Strategy Analytics, a global independent research and consulting firm, published the results of its latest research. Some of the key points in the survey indicate that Apple gained position in the top five handset rankings as global shipments recorded a growth of 13 percent annually and in third quarter of 2010 it has reached 327 million units. While taking a look at the global Handset Vendor Shipments and their market share in the third quarter of 2010, it is clear that Nokia with 111.1 million shipments is leading as compared to its volumes as seen in the third quarter of 2009 and second quarter of 2010. Samsung (News - Alert), LG, Apple and RIM are also part of the top five companies.

In the third quarter of 2010, Samsung had shipped 71.4 million handsets worldwide rising a slightly above-average 19 percent from 60.2 million units a year earlier. Also, Samsung’s global marketshare reached 22 percent and Samsung continues to stay ahead of LG’s nine percent and it is just 12 points behind Nokia’s (News - Alert) 34 percent, this is the closest rankings it has ever been; there are numerous second-tier players who are emerging including ZTE, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Huawei (News - Alert) and Alcatel. The tier-two companies are focussing on shipping volumes that are within touching distance of the leading group.

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In a press release, the Director at Strategy Analytics (News - Alert), Neil Mawston, said, “It was a mixed quarter for the world's major handset vendors. Some brands outperformed, such as Apple, while others underperformed, such as LG and Nokia. LG lost ground due to a weak smartphone portfolio, while Nokia suffered component shortages that constrained its low-end handset volumes by an estimated several million units.”

The Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, Mr. Alex Spektor, added that, “Global handset shipments grew 13 percent annually to reach 327 million units in the third quarter 2010. Apple was a star performer during the quarter, as it captured a record four percent marketshare, overtook RIM and Sony Ericsson (News - Alert) and closed the gap on LG. Apple jumped into our top five rankings for the first time.”