Apple expected to reclaim top spot from Samsung with iPhone 4S; BlackBerry forecast bleak

Samsung shipped just under 25 million smartphones in the third quarter of this year, eking out Apple for top spot.

But Samsung gained the benefit of timing, taking advantage of delayed Apple sales caused by millions of consumers holding out for the iPhone 4S. With a mind-boggling 4 million sales in the first four days, the iPhone 4S will drive Apple's sales through the roof, allowing it to reclaim the crown for most smartphone sales in the fourth quarter, according to Juniper Research.

Meanwhile, HTC doubled shipments year-over-year to overtake RIM, whose shipments are down 8% year over year. Even Nokia managed to up its shipments after two successive declines.

For detailed data, check out Juniper's free whitepaper, "The Smartphone Opportunity," and report, "Smartphone Evolution Strategies: Premium, Standard & Economy Markets 2011-2016."