BOSTON, Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 27 percent annually to reach a record 320 million units in the third quarter of 2014. Xiaomi was the star performer, capturing a record 6 percent marketshare and becoming the world's third largest smartphone vendor for the first time ever.

Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, "Global smartphone shipments grew 27 percent annually from 252.9 million units in Q3 2013 to a record 320.4 million in Q3 2014. Smartphone growth was mixed on a regional basis during the quarter, with healthy demand in Asia and Africa counterbalanced by sluggish volumes across North America and Europe due to ongoing changes in the operator subsidy mix."

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Samsung shipped 79.2 million smartphones worldwide and captured 25 percent marketshare in Q3 2014, dipping from 35 percent a year earlier. Samsung continues to face tough competition from Apple at the higher-end of the smartphone market, from Xiaomi and Huawei in the middle-tiers, and from Lenovo and others at the entry-level. Samsung is aiming to fight back in the next quarter with fresh models such as the Galaxy Note Edge and Note 4. Apple grew a below-average 16 percent annually and shipped 39.3 million iPhones worldwide for 12 percent marketshare in Q3 2014. Apple's iPhone growth is slowing worldwide because of its limited presence in the fast-growing entry-level segment. Xiaomi was the star performer in the quarter, capturing a record 6 percent marketshare and rising into third place in the global smartphone rankings for the first time ever. Xiaomi's Android smartphone models are wildly popular in the Chinese market and it shifts millions of them every quarter through its extensive online and operator channels. Xiaomi's next step is to target the international market in Asia and Europe, where it may face stronger headwinds of low brand awareness and technology-patent challenges next year."

Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "LG shipped a record 16.8 million smartphones worldwide in Q3 2014, rising to fourth position and taking 5 percent global share. LG is performing relatively well in the United States and Europe, due to attractive new models such as the G3 and L series. Huawei rounded out the top five players with 5 percent global smartphone share in the quarter. Huawei's core strengths lie in emerging markets, such as Africa, China and Latin America, where it operates extensive distribution channels."

Exhibit 1: Global Smartphone Vendor Shipments and Marketshare in Q3 2014  [1]

The full report, Xiaomi Becomes World's 3rd Largest Smartphone Vendor in Q3 2014, is published by the Strategy Analytics Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/9djv7u8.

About Strategy Analytics:

Strategy Analytics is a global, independent research and consulting firm. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.

Americas Contact:
Linda Sui / +1 617 614 0735 / LSui@strategyanalytics.com
Ken Hyers / +1 617 614 0757 / KHyers@strategyanalytics.com

EMEA Contact:
Neil Mawston / +44 1908 423 628 / NMawston@strategyanalytics.com

Asia Contact:
Woody Oh / +44 1908 423 665 / WOh@strategyanalytics.com

[1]  Numbers are rounded.

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SOURCE Strategy Analytics

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