SAMSUNG GALAXY S3 BECOMES WORLD'S BEST-SELLING SMARTPHONE

Samsung Galaxy S3’s smartphone has become the world's best-selling smartphone, out pacing Apple's iPhone 4S.

According to Strategy Analytics, the Galaxy S3 sold 18 million units compared to 16.2 million of the iPhone 4S. While the Galaxy S3 was overtaking the iPhone 4S to become the best-selling smartphone, the iPhone 5 sold 6 million units in its first quarter. Neil Shah, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, said: "A large touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the Galaxy S3's success."

While the Galaxy S3 made up 10.7 percent of global smartphone marketshare, the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 combined units made up 13.3 percent. Strategy Analytics said Apple sold fewer iPhone 4S models because consumers were waiting for the iPhone 5.

Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, said: "However, the Galaxy S3's position as the world’s best-selling smartphone model is likely to be short-lived."

"We expect the new iPhone 5 to out-ship Samsung’s Galaxy S3 in the coming fourth quarter of 2012 and Apple should soon reclaim the title of the world’s most popular smartphone model." he added.