• by Mark Walsh  @markfwal, August 4, 2011

Technology research firm IDC confirmed prior reports that Apple in the second quarter overtook Nokia as the world's biggest smartphone seller. With 20.3 million iPhones shipped in the quarter, Apple claimed 19.1% of the global smartphone market. Samsung was second, with 17.3%, while Nokia fell to third, at 15.7%. That marks a precipitous slide from a 37.3% share a year ago for the Finnish phone giant as the iPhone and Android devices crowd the field.

The overall smartphone market grew 65% in the second quarter, with 106.5 million handsets shipped. While growth is still strong, that figure reflects a drop from the 84% increase in the prior quarter. IDC projects the smartphone business will grow 55% this year, with new flagship models and updated phones being rolled out in the second half of 2011.

"The smartphone market leadership change signifies the parity that comes with a fast-growing market such as smartphones," said Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst at IDC, in a statement. "There is no runaway leader in the market, which means there could easily be further Top 5 vendor changes to come."