HTC Ships More Smartphones in US Than Samsung, Apple

Taiwan’s HTC shipped over 5.7 million smartphones in the US during the third quarter, edging out Samsung for the top spot for the first time, according to market research firm Canalys. The latest figures put HTC’s market share at nearly a quarter of the world’s biggest smartphone market.

Samsung remains the top smartphone maker globally, but trails HTC in the US with only 4.9 million shipped in Q3. Apple came in third in the US with 4.6 million units shipped.

HTC’s strong results were attributed to “compelling and differentiated” products as well as a strong 4G Android lineup, according to the Canalys report. The big loser appears to have been RIM whose shipments plunged up to 58 percent from a year ago, putting its market share below 10 percent for the first time. However, some of RIM’s losses in the US have been offset by strong gains worldwide.

The strength of Samsung, HTC and other smartphone makers give the Android mobile operating system nearly a 70% share in the US and 57% worldwide.