Apple iPhone 4S Tops List of Best Selling Smartphones: GfK Survey

There has been unrelenting competition for survival among the high-end smartphones. And the hype surrounding the release of Windows Mango Phones, Apple's iOS 5 update and the latest buzz around the Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) smartphones has laid a perfect platform for the battle ahead. Besides, the ensuing battle has extended to the hardware domain as well.

Let's take a quick look at the respective position and market share of the top selling smartphones.

With respect to platforms, Android has been dominating the market with a surplus 2 out of 3 shares in smartphone market and holds the pole position. It is even touted to have outsold iPhones by a whopping 100 percent. However, when it comes to individual brands, Apple's iPhone 4S has been in the limelight by topping the sales chart with a net 1 out of 3 shares in the market. It's quite an incredible feat that Apple's top five iPhone models have broken into the top 15 smartphones list, as per the reports from GfK.

Apple's net share is worth every 1 out of 3 shares in the market. On the contrary, the Android handset manufacturers do not even appear close to Apple's net share. However, Samsung's Galaxy S2 runs second close on the heels of Apple's iPhone 4S and is the only threat to Apple's swelling fortunes.

According to Katy Huberty of global finances firm - Morgan Stanley, Apple is all set to sell out as many as 100 million units of iPhones by this year end. Apple's top selling phones include 3G, 3G S, 4, and the iPhone 4S, which have already hit 50 million unit sales till date. As per the forecast, the Christmas and year end shopping spree is expected to further boost Apple's towering fortunes.

With Nokia's first Windows phone falling by the wayside and its Lumia series failing to cut the top 15 list, there is very little competition for the reigning champion iPhone 4S till now. Though, the market figures are expected to change later when the Ice Cream Sandwich phones make it into the fray.

Motorola's Droid Razr is one such flagship phone in this category. It has got both looks and power to wield against the likes of its rivals - Samsung and Apple. Meanwhile, HTC's Incredible S has also staked its claim among the top 5 hot-selling phones. Besides, the three variants of Blackberry Curve handsets have broken into the top 10 list. However, Bold 9900 has been left behind.

Despite the existing market scenario, the acquisition of Motorola by Google is the strategic turnaround and is likely to boost Motorola handsets market share in the long run. Google's Android has already subdued other platforms in terms of both sales and popularity. The Android-based Motorola handsets need to break into the main fray and compete against the likes of iPhones and Galaxy S2 if they expect to turn the fortune tide.