Nokia’s smartphone reign, which lasted nearly 15 years, is coming to an end. Analysts from Nomura Research say Nokia’s lead in smartphone units sales will be lost this quarter for the first time since Nokia became the top smartphone company in the world by sales volume in 1996. But it gets worse — according to Nomura, Nokia won’t be topped by just one company this quarter… both Samsung and Apple will surpass Nokia, pushing the struggling Finnish smartphone maker to the No. 3 spot globally. “Nokia looks set to relinquish its smartphone crown to Samsung and Apple,” Nomura wrote in a note to investors on Monday. “Further emphasizing the shift in power to Asia is our forecast for HTC to almost match Nokia during 2012.” Nokia will retain its lead in overall cell phone sales, Nomura says, thanks in large part to the company’s strong position in emerging markets.
Samsung, Apple to overtake Nokia in smartphone share this quarter
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