Samsung extends lead

Samsung has extended its lead in the smartphone market by shipping 81.2 million phones in the third quarter, which increased its market share to 31.4%. This significant shipment volume has helped Samsung maintain a strong position over its competitors.

In the third quarter, the global smartphone market saw record sales with 258.4 million units sold, marking a growth of 38.8%.

Apple's current market share in the smartphone industry is 13.1%, with 33.8 million iPhones sold in the third quarter.

Annual smartphone sales are expected to top 1 billion units in 2014, indicating a robust growth trend in the market.

Samsung's smartphone market share is significantly higher than Apple's, with Samsung holding 31.4% compared to Apple's 13.1%.

The record sales in the smartphone market can be attributed to the high volume of shipments by leading companies like Samsung, which shipped 81.2 million phones, contributing to the overall growth of 38.8% in the third quarter.

Samsung's performance is significant for investors because its strong market share and high shipment volume indicate robust growth and competitiveness in the smartphone market, which can be a positive indicator for potential investment opportunities.

Based on current trends, the smartphone market is expected to continue growing, with annual sales projected to exceed 1 billion units in 2014, suggesting a promising future for companies like Samsung and Apple.