Samsung 's Galaxy Note 4 was the world 's best - selling smartphone in the third quarter . For the first time ever , it surpassed sales of the iPhone 4S . As Strategy Analytics pointed out , iPhone 4S sales waned in the third quarter as consumers waited for the iPhone 5 , which went on sale September 21 . But it will likely reclaim the top spot next quarter with the new iPhone 5 .
Samsung 's Galaxy Note 4 was the world 's best - selling smartphone in the third quarter . For the first time ever , it surpassed sales of the iPhone 4S . But it will likely reclaim the top spot next quarter with the new iPhone 5 .