DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Samsung Electronics Co. (SSNHY, 005930.SE) remained the top handset manufacturer with its market share of total U.S. mobile subscribers edging up to 26% for the three-month period ended in March, according to comScore Inc. (SCOR). The market-research firm's survey of 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers found that LG Electronics Inc.'s (066570.SE) share of cellphone owners dropped to 19.3% from 20% during the three months ended December, while the No. 3 handset manufacturer, Apple Inc. (AAPL), increased its share to 14% from 12.4%. ComScore said 234 million Americans aged 13 and older used mobile devices during the three-month average period ended in March. Of those subscribers, more than 106 million owned smartphones, a 9% rise from the period ended in December. Google Inc.'s (GOOG) Android remained the top smartphone platform with its market share rising to 51% for the period ended in March from 47.3% in the prior three months. Apple ranked second with 30.7% of the smartphone market, up from 29.6%, while Research In Motion Ltd.'s (RIMM, RIM.T) share dropped to 12.3% from 16%. Earlier on Tuesday, market-researcher International Data Corp. said world-wide shipments of mobile phones declined 1.5% during the first quarter, while the smartphone market grew 42% from a year earlier. The firm said Samsung became the world's top mobile phone vendor, ousting longtime leader Nokia Corp. (NOK, NOK1V.HE). -By Melodie Warner, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2283; melodie.warner@dowjones.com
