Samsung Runaway Winner In 3Q Mobile Unit Sales

Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) was the clear winner in shipments of “connected” PCs, smartphones and tablets in the third quarter, with nearly a 22 percent share, up 97 percent from 2011, said market researcher IDC.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) was in second place, with 15.1 percent share, up only 38 percent from the year-earlier period, but led its Korean rival in value because it charges premium prices. IDC estimated.

Apple's average selling price of $744 for all products translated into $34 billion worth of shipments, slightly ahead of Samsung.

The overall market for connected devices in the third quarter was $140.4 billion, with shipments of 303.6 million devices, the Framingham, Mass., market research firm said. That was about 27 percent higher than in 2011.

Behind the leaders were China's Lenovo Group (PINK:LNVGY), Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ) and Sony Corp., with a combined 15 percent share, followed by all other brands.

Meanwhile IDC estimated fourth-quarter sales will be good. Unit shipments could rise to 362 million units with a market value of $169.2 billion, as more major brands enter the sector, including Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT).

“The battle between Samsung and Apple at the top of of the smart connected device space is stronger than ever,” said IDC's Ryan Reith. He cited Apple's high prices as “speaking volumes” about the Cupertino, Calif., company's ability to manage a “premium product line.”

Looking far ahead, IDC projected as many as 2.1 billion mobile units will be shipped in 2016 with market value approaching $800 billion.

Still, there will be dramatic shifts as PCs, now 39 percent of mobile platforms, fall to only 20 percent, while smartphones will increase from more than 53 percent now to nearly 68 percent.

As a result, IDC predicted, average selling prices will fall to $378 for all mobile devices in 2016 from $534 last year.

Shares of Samsung rose about 1 percent to 1.49 million won (US $1,383) in Monday trading.