iPhone 4 and 3GS Continued to Lead U.S. Smartphone Sales in Q3 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone 4 and 3GS Continued to Lead U.S. Smartphone Sales in Q3

iphone 4 iphone 3gs store
While the sheer number of available Android devices has resulted in the platform surpassing Apple's iOS in popularity, Apple's limited portfolio of devices remained popular even as customers looked forward to updated hardware that arrived last month in the form of the iPhone 4S. According to NPD, the iPhone 4 and 3GS continued to hold the top two positions in U.S. smartphone sales during the third quarter, leading a series of Android phones in the rankings.

Led by continued steady sales for Apple’s iPhones, the top five best-selling mobile phone handsets in Q3 were as follows:

1. Apple iPhone 4
2. Apple iPhone 3GS
3. HTC EVO 4G
4. Motorola Droid 3
5. Samsung Intensity II

The ranking follows an identical showing for Apple during the second quarter, despite the iPhone 4 having been introduced in June 2010 and the iPhone 3GS launch dating all the way back to June 2009.

Even with the introduction of the iPhone 4S last month, Apple is continuing to sell the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS as low-end devices, with an 8 GB iPhone 4 being offered for $99 on contract at all three major U.S. iPhone carriers and AT&T offering the 8 GB iPhone 3GS for free on contract.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

KnightWRX Avatar
187 months ago
I bought the 16gb 4 2 days before the 4S came out because it would've cost me £175 upfront for the 4S, the 4 was free. Not everyone has banks of money specifically for buying the latest and greatest, some people just want a decent phone, not the best.

Yet you have banks of money to pay the monthly fee... :rolleyes:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Schtumple Avatar
187 months ago
Still couldn't understand people buying iphone 4 and iphone 3gs as opposed to iphone 4s to save $100 to $200 up front.

I bought the 16gb 4 2 days before the 4S came out because it would've cost me £175 upfront for the 4S, the 4 was free. Not everyone has banks of money specifically for buying the latest and greatest, some people just want a decent phone, not the best.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
840quadra Avatar
187 months ago
Seeing what MacRumors has become I guess it's no surprise to see a moderator jumping on the doom and gloom bandwagon.:(
I am not sure how my being amazed is equal to doom and gloom. :confused:

I am happy for the achievements of Apple, in spite of the strong competition.

::EDIT::

I think I get the confusion, people use the word Non-Plussed incorrectly all the time. It means surprised, not disappointment like most people think. Just trying to be clear.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
187 months ago
Still couldn't understand people buying iphone 4 and iphone 3gs as opposed to iphone 4s to save $100 to $200 up front.
I am pretty sure that at this point the 4s wasn't out yet so those were their only (iPhone) options.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
187 months ago
Android Smandroid

The 3GS coming in second says a lot about the Android phones.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleScruff1 Avatar
187 months ago
The 3GS coming in second says a lot about the Android phones.

I think is says more about Apple marketing and the lack of knowledge by most consumers. All they see is iPhone, I want one.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)