Galaxy who? iPhone 5 & 4S were the two best-selling smartphones in Q4 2012

Apple might have some problems keeping investors interested, but consumers are clearly still Apple-hungry. The iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S were the two best-selling smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to a new Strategy Analytics report.

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Strategy Analytics’ data showed the iPhone 5 was the overall champ, with 27.4 million iPhone 5 units sold in the fourth quarter, while 17.4 million 4S units were sold, and 15.4 million Galaxy S III units were sold. The iPhone 5 and 4S combined accounted for 1 in 5 of smartphones shipped in the world in Q4 2012.

“The iPhone 5 captured an impressive 13 percent share of all smartphones shipped globally, and it has become the world’s bestselling smartphone model for the first time ever,” Strategy Analytics wrote in its report. “A rich touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the iPhone 5’s success.”

In the third quarter of 2012, by comparison, the Galaxy S III was on top with 18 million units sold, the iPhone 5 (which was barely available in Q3) sold 6 million units, and the iPhone 4S had 16.2 million units sold.

While this news is good for Apple, Samsung can’t be counted out looking forward. Samsung is rumored to be releasing its Galaxy S IV — the successor to the Galaxy S III — some time in March. If that timing holds true and the phone is more powerful and flashy than the S III, the S IV could easily overtake the iPhone 5’s sales in the second quarter of 2013.

Take a look at Strategy Analytics’ numbers below: