With the iPhone 4S launched globally in the fourth quarter of 2011 and expected to be selling well in the first quarter of 2012, other international vendors including Samsung Electronics, HTC, Nokia and LG Electronics are expected to launch their new smartphone models in the second quarter to avoid competing too directly with the iPhone 4S, according to Taiwan-based smartphone supply chain makers.

Mainly due to hot sales of the iPhone 4S, Apple recorded the largest global smartphone market share of 23.9% in the fourth quarter of 2011, followed by Samsung with 23.5% and Nokia with 12.6%, the sources cited Strategy Analytics statistics as indicating. Based on previous experience, sales of iPhone 4S will remain at peak in the first quarter of 2012 and then begin to decline, the sources pointed out.

In consideration of advantageous timing, Samsung, HTC, Nokia and LG will unveil new models of smartphones at the 2012 Mobile World Congress to take place in Barcelona, Spain, during February 27-March 1 for launch in the second quarter of 2012, the sources indicated.