Mobile handset market shuffling

Although it was passed up by Samsung in the third quarter, Motorola may come out on top this year in the U.S. — but not for long. According to research from MultiMedia Intelligence, Motorola is projected to provide 21% of all handsets purchased in the U.S. consumer market, but LG and Samsung are closing in fast enough to outpace Motorola in 2009.

Meanwhile, Apple and Research In Motion are responsible for the biggest shake-up in mobile phone sales. Their market-share gains have raised the stakes for wireless features and design for the rest of the ecosystem. Smartphone adoption, driven by the iPhone and BlackBerry, has even been a primary reason the U.S. wireless industry has thus far weathered the economic recession.

This year, BlackBerrys were the most popular handset with the 35- to 44-year-olds. Samsung was first in market share among 12- to 17-year-olds, African-American and Hispanic consumers, and women. LG was top of mind for 25- to 34-year-olds, especially males, while women made up nearly 60% of all U.S. Treo consumers. Nokia, which remains the world leader, was popular among those 65 and older in the U.S.