By Michael Oleaga / m.oleaga@latinospost.com (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Feb 04, 2013 07:34 PM EST

About five months after Apple launched the iPhone 5, the company has surpassed Samsung as the top mobile maker in the U.S.

During the latest fourth quarter, Apple has sold 17.7 million mobile phones, this number is not exclusive to the iPhone 5. The number of phones Apple sold is a 38 percent increase from the 2011 fourth quarter.

According to Strategy Analytics, the research firm that published the report, Apple's new numbers meant the company holds 34 percent of the mobile market.

Rival Samsung is not far behind, covering 32 percent of the market.

The South Korean-based company sold 16.8 million phones, ending the maker's reign as the top mobile maker in the U.S.

"Apple's success has been driven by its popular ecosystem of iPhones and App Store, generous carrier subsidies, and extensive marketing around the new iPhone 5 model," said Strategy Analytics analyst Neil Mawston.

LG Electronics Inc. commands third place, selling 4.7 million mobile phones, equaling to nine percent of the mobile market share.

Latinos Post has covered the trial with a series chronicling the patent infringement case. The first installment can be read here,dating back Apple original complaint, while the second installment on how the Apple vs. Samsung trials is proceeding worldwide, click here. The third installment on its impact on other tech companies, such as HTC and Motorola, can be viewed here.

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