Samsung Galaxy S III Shipments Hit 10 Million in Two Months

Samsung appears to have made good on its June promise that sales of its Galaxy S III smartphone would hit 10 million by the end of July.

Shin Jong-kyun, president of Samsung’s information technology and mobile communication division, said Sunday that the S III, its new flagship Android smartphone, has passed the 10-million-sold milestone.

Shin didn’t quantify sales beyond that, nor did he explain just who those 10-million-plus Galaxy SIIIs were sold to — retailers or consumers. Typically, Samsung’s “sales” numbers are for devices sold into the retail channel and not directly to consumers. And that’s likely the case here, as well. Samsung did not respond to a request for clarification.

Either way, it’s an impressive showing for the Galaxy S III, which has been well received by reviewers and consumers both. The device, which is available through the four major wireless carriers in the U.S., has seen high demand at most of them, with Sprint being forced to delay its June 21 launch, due to “overwhelming demand.” For the Galaxy S III to sell 10 million units less than two months after its May 29 debut is a new Samsung smartphone sales record. The Galaxy S II hit the 10 million mark in five months; its predecessor, the Galaxy S, sold 10 million in seven months.

Update: Samsung confirms that these 10 million units are indeed devices sold into the channel and not directly to consumers.