Samsung Galaxy S III the Challenger to Apple iPhone?

Virtually every smart phone supplier aspires to compete head to head with the Apple iPhone. You can make your own assessment about how well all those efforts have fared. 


But at least some observers believe Samsung might be in position to do so. That is based in part on the profitability of Samsung's smart phone business, as well as sales volume. 


Samsung has displaced longtime mobile device market share leader Nokia as the world's top mobile phone vendor. 


According to International Data Corporation, vendors shipped 398.4 million units in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 404.3 million units in the first quarter of 2011. 


Samsung's ascension to the market's top spot is largely a reflection of its gains in the smart phone market over the past two years, said Kevin Restivo, IDC senior research analyst. 


Apple and Samsung also accounted for a stunning 95 percent of the handset industry's profits during the fourth quarter, according to a study by Canaccord Genuity.


The issue now is whether the Galaxy S III can legitimately compete head to head with the iPhone.