Global smartphone shipments grew 9.1% on quarter to 332 million units in the third quarter of 2015, powered by the launch of new models by vendors, including Samsung Electronics' Note 5, Huawei's Mate S devices and Sony Mobile Communications' Z5 series, according to TrendForce.
China-based vendors led in shipments with combined volumes reaching 150 million units, representing a 16.3% quarterly growth for all China-based brands.
With the global economy decelerating in the second half of 2015, smartphone shipments are expected to remain weak until mid-2016, said the market research firm.
Global smartphone shipments are expected to grow by 9.3% annually in 2015, and the annual growth rate is likely to drop to 7.7% in 2016, TrendForce estimated.
Samsung retained its title as the top smartphone vendor with a 25% share in the third quarter. However, the Korea-based vendor is expected to see its first ever decline of its annual smartphone shipments, dropping 1% on year to 323.5 million units in 2015, TrendForce estimated.
Buoyed by the release of iPhone 6s devices, Apple will see its shipments increase 16% on year to 223.7 million units in 2015.
Thanks to stronger than expected sales in the third quarter, Huawei's annual smartphone shipments are likely to reach 110 million units in 2015, higher than its target of 100 million, said TrendForce, adding that Huawei will become the first China-based brand to reach 100 million units in shipments and cement its position as the third-largest vendor worldwide.
