Apple iPhone outsells Nokia in China

Apple has overtaken Nokia as the most popular smartphone brand in China, a new report published by Morgan Stanley has revealed.

The research, which surveyed 2,050 Chinese mobile phone users in September, reveals “a surge in iPhone growth” across the country, as more than a third of those questioned expressed a preference for Apple’s iPhone – twice than for Nokia’s models.

According to the figure’s, Apple’s share jumped 6 percentage points in terms of planned purchases in the second half of 2011, reaching 34 percent, and the firm’s revenues in  from $3 billion in 2010 to $13 billion in 2011. In comparison, Nokia’s share fell to 16 percent, although still sits nicely in second place.

“China could surpass the US as Apple’s largest market in about three years, adding nearly $30 billion more per year to the top-line along the way,” a Morgan Stanley spokesperson said.

Among other smartphone makers in China, Samsung takes the number three spot with a growth of 7 percent, closely followed by Motorola and HTC. RIM and Sony Ericsson continued to slide, dropping 3 and 4 points, respectively.

[Source: Apple Insider]