Apple launched the iPhone 4S on Oct. 14, and said it had sold over four million units in just three days after the launch.

Samsung's rise has been driven by a blend of elegant hardware designs, popular Android services, memorable sub-brands and extensive global distribution, according to Strategy Analytics. In the third quarter of last year, Samsung had a 9.3 percent share to Apple's 17.4 percent. Nokia, which had a 32.7 percent share in the third quarter of last year, has been losing share because of competition from Apple and phones running the Android operating system, as it transitioned to the Windows Phone operating system.

Apple and Samsung are caught up in patent litigation relating to their smartphones and tablets in a number of countries

The IDG News Service