ZTE, the Chinese telecom equipment maker, has overtaken Apple as the
fourth largest mobile phone vendor in Q3 2011 in terms of shipments.

The Chinese phone major jumped into the number 4 position thanks to
momentum carried into Q3 2011 with key devices shipping into strategic regions.

ZTE shipped 19.1 million phones in Q3 2011 and gained marketshare of 4.9
percent. ZTE’s market share in Q3 2010 was 3.5 percent and shipped 12.1 million
phones.

The number of phones shipped by Apple was 17.1 million in Q3 2011 to
gain market share of 4.3 percent. Apple’s market share in Q3 2010 was 4 percent
with 14.1 million phones.

In China, ZTE has nearly doubled its
smartphone volumes from the previous quarter, while within North America, ZTE’s
entry-level voice-centric phones at AT&T have gained greater depth. At the
same time, ZTE’s target of 12 million smartphone shipments worldwide in 2011
became more of a reality with the introduction of two new Android-powered
smartphones for the North American market, according to IDC.

Apple posted the third-highest growth rate of any Top 5 vendor but
dropped to the number 5 position globally. Global iPhone shipments declined
sequentially during the same quarter. The decline happened as Apple readied
itself for the 4S launch. Apple’s ability to upgrade 3GS users to the 4S, for
example, and make continued inroads into developing economies, where it has
been less successful, will help dictate the company’s smartphone fortunes in
the future, according to IDC.

“Despite ongoing economic volatility, global handset shipments grew a
relatively healthy 14 percent annually to reach 390 million units in Q3 2011.
ZTE was the star performer as it captured 5 percent market share and overtook
Apple to become the world’s fourth largest handset vendor. ZTE’s growth is
being driven by competitive pricing of entry-level models for feature phones and
Android smartphones,” said Alex Spektor, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics.

By Baburajan K
[email protected]