With 18M iPhones sold during Q4, Apple outsells Samsung in U.S.

For the first time ever, the iPhone was the most popular smartphone in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2012. Apple sold 17.7 million smartphones during the quarter, which just barely edged out Samsung, which sold 16.8 million smartphones during the same quarter, according to Strategy Analytics’ Wireless Device Strategy report published Friday. All told, 52 million smartphones were sold in the U.S. between October and December, and Apple and Samsung dominated the competition: together they sold two out of every three smartphones.

The iPhone’s distinction as most popular phone during the quarter comes on Apple’s strength: holiday sales. However, for all of 2012 Samsung still bested all others including Apple — for the fifth year in a row — selling 53 million smartphones, and maintaining a 32 percent share. Apple’s full year share of sales was 26.2 percent.

Strategy Analytics smartphones Q4 12

You’ll note that this chart is, somewhat unusually, only comparing three vendors: Apple, Samsung, LG and then “others.” But that essentially sums up the state of the U.S. smartphone market: Apple versus Samsung, and that’s about it.

Apple’s 34 percent share of U.S. smartphone sales during the fourth quarter is not likely to be a pattern we’ll see repeated outside non-holiday quarters: Samsung puts out many different models of smartphones throughout the year, compared to Apple’s single annual refresh, and barring something catastrophic happening at Samsung, it’s is likely to continue as the biggest smartphone vendor in the U.S. for 2013.

What could boost Apple’s chances of overtaking Samsung outside of holiday sales is if Apple started releasing multiple models of iPhones to reach many more new customers, either through more price options, new subscription options, as T-Mobile is planning, or more screen size choice — as some estimate could start as soon as this year.