Galaxy S Lifts Samsung Past HTC in Smart Phones

The success of its Galaxy S has moved Samsung Electronics up into the number 4 spot among smartphone makers wth 7.85 million sold in the third quarter alone. Taiwan’s HTC, which had held the 4th spot, slipped to 5th with 6.8 million.

Nokia retains its lead in that category. Apple and Blackberry maker Research in Motion occupy the second and third spots. Until the past quarter HTC was consistently in fourth place.

Taking the handset market as a whole Samsung is closing rapidly on first-place Nokia. Nokia’s market share has slipped from 36.5% last year to 32.4% this year. Samsung’s sales rose to a 21% share with 71.4 million units sold in the third quarter.

LG Electronics currently ranks third in the general handset market with 8.3%. Apple is in 4th place with 4.1% and RIM is 5th with 3.6%.