For the first time in almost a year, the iPhone 4S was not the top selling smartphone in the United States. That honor for the month of August was taken by the newly released Samsung Galaxy S III.
Samsung’s lead is expected by analyst Michael Walkley with Canaccord Genuity to be short-lived, however, as Apple is widely expected to unveil its next-generation iPhone next week. Walkley said in a note to investors on Tuesday that his checks with U.S. carriers found that iPhone sales have been soft ahead of the launch of Apple’s next iPhone, allowing Samsung’s Galaxy S III to take the top spot.
Data from the carriers indicate that many customers are holding off buying a new handset until the debut of the next iPhone. The Galaxy S III was the top selling phone at three of the four major carriers, with only AT&T reporting the iPhone 4S as its top seller.
Walkley said Canaccord’s checks indicated “strong consumer interest and likely demand for the iPhone 5, and we believe Apple will return to strong number one smartphone share in the U.S. post the iPhone 5 launch.”
Apple has sent out invitations to the media for an event in San Francisco on September 12, where it will reveal the highly anticipated iPhone 5.
