Samsung Beats Apple: Samsung Bests Apple in Smart Connected Device Category

Samsung Beats Apple: According to a recent report by IDC, Samsung has topped Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in terms of “smart connected devices” shipments. This includes PC, portable PC, smartphone, and tablet shipments for 2012.

When you look at the numbers from 2012, you will see that Samsung shipped 250 million devices during 2012, followed by 218.7 million by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).

If these numbers are accurate, it means that Samsung has 20.8 percent market share with Apple coming in second at 18.2 percent.

Although the numbers are close right now, if you take a look back at 2011 you will see a different picture.

The IDC report shows that Apple shipped 151.5 million devices during 2011, far more than the 114 million by Samsung. At the end of 2011, this put the Cupertino-based company at 16.3 percent market share and Samsung at 12.3 percent.

As you can see, things can change quite a bit in one year. From 2011 to 2012, Samsung made a big move, which allowed it to overtake Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for the top spot.

What about the rest of the list? Right now, it is pretty much a two horse race for the top spot. After Samsung and Apple, the top five is filled out with Lenovo at 6.5 percent market share, HP at 4.8 percent market share, and Dell at 3.2 percent market share.

Here is a statement from Bob O’Donnell, IDC vice president of the Clients and Displays program, as quoted by AppleInsider:

“The fourth quarter market share numbers showed a fairly dramatic resurgence for Apple. After falling well behind Samsung early in 2012, Apple came roaring back in final quarter of the year thanks to its latest hits – the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini – and reduced the market share gap to less than a single percentage point. The question moving forward will be whether or not Apple can maintain its hit parade against the juggernaut of Samsung.”

Thanks to a big fourth quarter of 2012, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was able to close the gap on Samsung. Do you think this will continue to be the case as 2013 wears on? Share your thoughts below.

Check back here for more updates on Samsung Beats Apple.

DISCLOSURE: I have no positions in any stock mentioned.

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