Samsung Electronics kept its top spot in the global smartphone market in the second quarter of this year.
According to a Hong Kong-based market research firm Counterpoint Research on September 29, Samsung Electronics had a share of 21 percent in the global smartphone market in the second quarter of this year, followed by Apple with 14 percent and Huawei with 9 percent.
Following them were Xiaomi and ZTE each with 5 percent, LG Electronics with 4 percent, and TCL-Alcatel with 3 percent. Since the third quarter of 2011, Samsung Electronics has maintained the leading position for 16 straight quarters.
Samsung Electronics swept the No. 1 spot in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Middle East/Africa, excluding the United States where Apple has traditionally been the strongest player.
In the North American market, Samsung Electronics was positioned at No. 2 with a share of 24 percent, ranking behind Apple (31%).
Samsung Electronics launched its mobile pay service Samsung Pay in the U.S. on September 28 as a way to increase its smartphone presence there. Unlike Apple Pay which can be used only through NFC readers, Samsung Pay can be used through MST readers which most credit card-handling stores have.
