Last week, smartphone sales data from analytics firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech (KWC) revealed that Apple’s iOS became number one mobile platform in the US, thanks to strong sales of the iPhone 5. Now, the latest research from market research company comScore’s MobiLens service shows that Apple has overtaken LG to become the number 2 OEM (original equipment maker) Stateside for the first time.

Korean tech giant Samsung managed to retain the top spot in terms of the handset manufacturers courtesy of its 26.3% market share, while the Cupertino-based tech outfit increased its market stake by 1.5% to 17.8%. This was just enough to push past LG and its 17.6% market share. Coming in fourth is Google-owned Motorola Mobility with its 11% stake, whilst HTC rounds up the Top 5 via its 6% market share.  

According to the company, 121.3 million people in the US owned smartphones, culminating in a mobile market penetration of nearly 52% during the three months period that ending in October 2012. This represents an increase of 6% compared to July 2012’s figures.

Smartphone platform market share

When it comes to mobile operating systems (OSs), the analytics company has Google’s Android mobile platform in the lead amongst smartphone OSs, accounting for 53.6% of smartphone subscribers Stateside. Apple managed to land a stake of 34.3%, with BlackBerry maker RIM (Research In Motion) coming in a distant third place thanks to its 7.8% stake. Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS took fourth spot with a 3.2% market share and Symbian barely tipped the market stake scales via its 0.6% share.

comScore’s figures seem to differ drastically from KWC’s latest research. KWC’s figures had iOS running on 48.1% of smartphones sold in the States over a twelve week period that ended on 28 October. According to the firm’s research Android powered 46.7% of the smartphones sold during the same period. However, KWC’s market trends data is based upon smartphone sales only, whereas comScore’s info is based upon installed base figures (new smartphone buyers and current users).

comScore’s MobiLens service looks at key trends within the US mobile phone industry over the three month period ending October 2012. The market research firm’s study surveyed more than 30 000 US mobile subscribers.