Apple catching up to Samsung in smartphone sales

For years, it has been customary for Apple to take the top position in the market in the final quarter of the year after the presentation of new iPhone models. On an annual basis, however, Samsung is traditionally ahead. — REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

SAN JOSE: US technology company Apple has recently closed the gap on long-time smartphone market leader South Korea-based Samsung, according to experts' calculations on Thursday.

In the last quarter, Samsung sold 59.6 million smartphones and Apple 53.6 million of its iPhones, the analysis firm IDC estimated on Thursday. That brings the market shares of the two biggest vendors to 19.7% and 17.7%.