Samsung Galaxy SIII is officially the world’s best selling smartphone

Looks like it’s time to surrender your throne iPhone 4S users: the Samsung Galaxy SIII is officially the world’s best-selling smartphone, for now.

According to research released today by tech analysis company Strategy Analytics, the South Korean company’s flagship smartphone outshipped the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 to take top spot in the global rankings during the third financial quarter of 2012.

The 18-million SIIIs sold means that it accounts for an 11% share of all smartphones shipped globally. Strategy Analytics reckons that the SIII’s dominant position is predominantly as a result of its “large touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies”.

Apple shipped an estimated 16.2-million iPhone 4S units worldwide for second place, as consumers temporarily held off purchases in anticipation of a widely expected iPhone 5 upgrade at the end of the quarter.

Putting iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 shipments together brings Apple’s total up to 24-million. That indicates that the Cupertino giant still has the mindshare advantage when it comes to high-end smartphones.

Given that Strategy Analytics doesn’t provide details on how Samsung’s Galaxy Note series did in the quarter however, making that kind of statement could prove contentious.

With direct sales of the iPhone 5 rocketing (six-million units is a pretty impressive number considering how late into the quarter it launched) though, it looks like Apple’s latest offering will reclaim top spot this quarter.