Apple Q4 sells 37 million iPhone market share 23.8%

February 16, according to the technology website BGR, a market research company Gartner issued a report today that the global smartphone sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by 47.3% to 149 million units, an annual increase of 58% to 472 million units, accounting for all 31% of mobile device sales. Among them, Apple iPhone sold 37 million units in the fourth quarter, with a market share of 23.8%.

Roberta Cozza, principal analyst at Gartner, said that the substantial growth in the Western European and North American markets in the fourth quarter contributed most of the sales of the Apple iPhone. "The iPhone ended the downturn in the smart phone market in Western Europe for two consecutive quarters."

In addition, Apple’s rival Samsung Electronics sold 34 million smart phones in the fourth quarter. Sales of LG, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and RIM smartphones were disappointing. ZTE and Huawei dominated the low-end market and became the fastest-growing manufacturers in the fourth quarter of 2011. "These companies continue to improve the user experience of their Android devices to expand their market reach," Cozza said.