Samsung No. 1 in U.S. Cell Phone Sales

Samsung Electronics of South Korea was the top seller of mobile phones in the U.S. during the third quarter, making it the market leader in the U.S. for the first time, according to a research firm.

Strategy Analytics said Samsung registered market share of 22.4% in the U.S. during the quarter, overtaking Motorola for the first time in the quarter. Motorola had U.S. market share of 21.1%.

"Samsung's growing retail presence and an attractive handset portfolio for each of the big four operators proved crucial in grabbing the prestigious title of the number one vendor in the world's single largest handset market," Strategy Analytics said Friday.

Total mobile phone shipments in the U.S. rose 6% annually to 47 million units during the third quarter, according to Strategy Analytics.

The research firm also said Research in Motion (RIMM Quote) maintained double-digit market share for the second straight quarter, and said Apple(AAPL Quote) reached the sixth position in the U.S.