InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

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HTC set to challenge Apple as top smartphone vendor in the US

Daniel Shen, Taipei; Steve Shen, DIGITIMES [Friday 10 June 2011]

HTC's Android-based smartphones the HTC Thunderbolt and Inspire 4G ranked as the top-selling models for Verizon Wireless and AT&T, respectively, and it has a chance to challenge Apple as the number one smartphone vendor in the US before Apple launches its next-generation iPhone, according to industry sources.

Sales of Android phones by Verizon are on par with the CDMA-version iPhone, with the HTC Thunderbolt the second most popular model trailing after iPhone, said the sources, citing data compiled by investment firms.

Additionally, the Inspire 4G is the best-selling Android phone for AT&T, with sales of the model almost three times higher than those of Motorola's Atrix 4G, added the sources.

Also thanks to its cooperation with Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile USA, HTC took the second-ranked position in the smartphone segment in the US in the first quarter of 2011, according to data released by market research firm Canalys.

With the absence of a next-generation iPhone, and the fact rival Motorola has been forced to postpone the launch of its 4G models, HTC has a chance to further narrow the gap in market share against Apple before the third quarter, the sources commented.