Galaxy S3 beats iPhone 4S to become world’s best selling smartphone

The tide turning? Or an expected Apple lull as it transitions from the iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5?

Whatever way you look at it, Samsung has claimed a significant psychological victory with news that the Galaxy S3 has overtaken the iPhone 4S to become the best selling smartphone on the planet with sales of 18m and 16.2m units respectively.

ME reports that the numbers come from Strategy Analytics’ reports into global smartphone sales in Q3 2012.

The Galaxy S3 captured an impressive 11 per cent share of all smartphones shipped globally and it has become the world’s best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever,” Strategy Analytics’ senior analyst Neil Shah stated.

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.”

However, Shah rightfully pointed out that iPhone 4S sales undoubtedly took a hit from consumers holding out for the iPhone 5.

He added: Apple shipped an estimated 16.2m iPhone 4S units worldwide for second place, as consumers temporarily held off purchases in anticipation of a widely expected iPhone 5 upgrade at the end of the quarter."