Apple, HTC and RIM Unscathed by Smartphone Stall

Though it played havoc with Nokia’s smartphone business, a rare quarter-to-quarter decline in smartphone shipments–the first sequential decrease since 2009–did nothing to slow the iPhone juggernaut.

According to research firm IHS iSuppli, iPhone shipments rose 15 percent in the first quarter, even as smartphone shipments declined 1.5 percent. That was the strongest showing among the top five smartphone companies, though HTC and Research in Motion both reported gains as well–6.2 percent and 4.2 percent respectively.

And the weakest?

That dubious honor belongs to Nokia, whose smartphone shipments declined by 14.5 percent. An ugly slip, and one that puts Apple that much closer to attaining smartphone market leadership.

“Apple’s smartphone market share in the first quarter was boosted by the introduction of its first iPhone model with code division multiple access (CDMA) as well as by the addition of Verizon Wireless as a carrier in the United States,” said IHS analyst Tina Teng. “Not only did this allow Apple to expand its target market and boost shipments, it also placed additional pressure on rival smartphone brands–including Motorola, Samsung, LG and HTC–that focus on Verizon Wireless as a major customer.”