Apple now has a larger global market share in smartphone sales than RIM (Research in Motion). According to a report from Strategy Analytics, Apple shipped more iPhone units than RIM’s Blackberry devices in the third quarter of 2010. Surprisingly, even though the adoption rate of the iPhone and the Blackberry is quite high and repeat purchases are very common, Nokia is still the King of the Hill when it comes to smartphone’s market share.

Nokia shipped 26.5 million units in Q3 FY 2010, while RIM’s share fell by 20% while Apple’s market share increase by 1.4% globally. Having called Nokia the market leader right now, I should also point out that it is also losing market share gradually. Nokia enjoys a large market in Asia and Europe which will be tough for Apple and RIM to break through into just yet but that is not to say that they will not. In countries like Pakistan where the iPhone and Blackberry do not come with a warranty, the adoption rate is still low. Though Pakistan is an upcoming mobile market in this region with an ever increasing mobile user base, it is still not able to provide 3G connectivity and high speed mobile internet access just yet. Analysts believe that RIM  is being left behind because of limited presence in the “high-growth touchscreen segment”. RIM’s Storm and Torch devices may just be what they need to break in but have yet to perfect the touch technology to fill the gap.