Apple is now the second largest smartphone vendor globally, according to figures from research firm Canalys, pushing BlackBerry maker Research In Motion into third place.
The introduction of the iPhone 3G in July has proved a stupendous success, with a staggering seven million devices shipped during the third quarter of 2008.
Despite being pushed into second place, BlackBerry shipments still grew by over 80 per cent. However, given the eagerly anticipated BackBerry Storm launched today, and many have hailed it as the big threat to iPhone touchscreen supremacy, this positioning could easily change by this time next year.
Smartphone shipments hit a new high of approximately 40 million devices, an increase of 28 per cent on the same period last year, despite the effects of the credit crunch.
First place still belongs to Nokia, still the unchallenged leader of the market. However, the Finnish mobile manufacturer saw a slight fall in shipments for the first time, despite 15 million units being sold and a 38.4 per cent market share.
BlackBerry Storm out today | Free from £35 per month | Vodafone | Via VNUNet
