According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (www.strategyanalytics.com), global smartphone shipments grew 21% annually to reach 345 million units in the first quarter of 2015. Samsung overtook Apple to recapture first position as the world's largest smartphone vendor by volume, says the research group.

"Global smartphone shipments grew 21% annually from 285.0 million units in Q1 [the first quarter] 2014 to a 345.0 million in Q1 2015," says Linda Sui, director at Strategy Analytics. "Global smartphone growth on an annualized basis has slowed slightly from 33% to 21%t during the past year, due to increasing penetration maturity in major markets of the US, Europe and China."

Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, adds: Samsung shipped 83.2 million smartphones worldwide and captured 24% marketshare in Q1 2015, dipping from 31% a year earlier. Samsung continued to face challenges in Asia and elsewhere, but its global performance has stabilized sufficiently well this quarter to overtake Apple and recapture first position as the world's largest smartphone vendor by volume."

Apple shipped 61.2 million smartphones worldwide and captured 18% marketshare in Q1 2015, rising from 15% in Q1 2014. Apple's new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models remain wildly popular in China and worldwide, as consumers upgrade to larger-screen phablets for enhanced data experiences."