By the numbers: Top 10 most popular U.S. handsets in December
February 24 2009 - 6:00 am ET | Kristen Beckman | RCR Wireless News
New to the list this month was Samsung’s Rant model, which is available at Sprint Nextel.
Editor's Note: The following lists ranks the 10 most popular handsets in the United States for the month of December. Rankings were provided by AvianResearch L.L.C.
The firm derives its ranking via its Monthly Retail Store Survey, which is based on responses from 100 service representatives and store managers at retail stores of the four major U.S. wireless carriers (AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc.). The survey is designed to be reflective of the U.S. wireless market from both a carrier market share and geographic standpoint. Collectively, AvianResearch said the four largest carriers represent 85% of the U.S. wireless market on a subscriber basis.
This list does not reflect actual sales statistics. Such numbers are not released by handset makers or carriers. Thus, this list is only an indication of subjective popularity.
For the purposes of this list, RCR Wireless News has added carrier information beyond the four largest carriers surveyed by Avian.
As it has for the past several months, Research In Motion Ltd. continues to hold the top spot on the ranking. The company’s Blackberry Curve models have dominated the list every month since May of 2008. The company also holds two other spots on the list with its BlackBerry Storm holding its No. 3 spot and the BlackBerry Bold falling one notch to No. 6 from No. 5 where it was ranked in November.
New to the list this month was Samsung’s Rant model, which is available at Sprint Nextel. Dropping off the list for December was the HTC Touch Pro, which ranked 7th in November.
This list differs from other recently published lists due to different tabulation methods.
Top 10 Most Popular Handsets in December |
|||
Device |
Last Month's Rank |
Available At |
|
| 1. RIM Blackberry Curve | 1 |
AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, others |
 |
| 2. Apple iPhone | 2 |
AT&T Mobility |
 |
| 3. BlackBerry Storm | 3 |
Verizon Wireless |
 |
| 4. LG Voyager | 6 |
Verizon Wireless |
 |
| 5. LG Dare | 4 |
Verizon Wireless |
 |
| 6. BlackBerrry Bold | 5 |
AT&T Mobility |
 |
| 7. Samsung Rant | Not ranked |
Sprint Nextel |
 |
| 8. Samsung Behold | 9 |
T-Mobile |
 |
| 9. Samsung Instinct | 10 |
Sprint Nextel |
 |
| 10. LG Env2 | 8 |
Verizon Wireless |
 |
| Source: Rankings provided by AvianResearch L.L.C. | |||
Article updated Feb. 24 to correct inaccurate information, and to clarify the nature of the information provided.
Email Article
| 
Print Article
|
Permalink |
It is remarkable that this story says the most popular handsets...what is the statistical criteria?everyone I know does not like the BB Storm anymore...so where is the data...are these sold byt he carriers? It is very cool that RCR wireless magazine exists and your articles are very informing...like the article by writer Allie Winter, and the CEO of Sprint..excellent!
I think the market is heading toward WDA's where linkage to email is a factor. I have heard of companies that might issue a WDA before they issue a laptop.RichJaccard@acnrep.comVideotelset.com(732) 233-0418
how interesting that the top selling/most popular phone, whatever that means.... is a phone that is sold by all phone companies.
I suspect that most iphones are sold through apple stores and through the retail outlets like Best Buy and Walmart. If this survey only lists the phones sold by the carriers it would not be an accurate indicator for phones sold by only one carrier, including the BB storm.
Does this measure actual sales as reported by these service reps, or 'interest' by consumers? We're all interested in these phones, but not everyone will wind up buying them. It would be great to understand exactly what is meant by 'most popular'.
Right you are, Sammy. And more importantly, remember when all the custoemrs wanted was the samllest phone they could get? Now they're out and looking for the biggest phone there is. They've grown in that they want more out of a phone than simply making calls. And they now understand that the more features a phone has, the larger it becomes.
well the env2 is sorta a flip
Anyone notice that all 10 models on this list.. not a single flip (clamshell) phone. Wow, used to be all flips were the top sellers.