Editor’s Note: The following lists ranks the 10 most popular handsets in the United States for the month of December. Rankings were provided by AvianResearch L.L.C.
The firm derives its ranking via its Monthly Retail Store Survey, which is based on responses from 100 service representatives and store managers at retail stores of the four major U.S. wireless carriers (AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc.). The survey is designed to be reflective of the U.S. wireless market from both a carrier market share and geographic standpoint. Collectively, AvianResearch said the four largest carriers represent 85% of the U.S. wireless market on a subscriber basis.
This list does not reflect actual sales statistics. Such numbers are not released by handset makers or carriers. Thus, this list is only an indication of subjective popularity.
For the purposes of this list, RCR Wireless News has added carrier information beyond the four largest carriers surveyed by Avian.
As it has for the past several months, Research In Motion Ltd. continues to hold the top spot on the ranking. The company’s Blackberry Curve models have dominated the list every month since May of 2008. The company also holds two other spots on the list with its BlackBerry Storm holding its No. 3 spot and the BlackBerry Bold falling one notch to No. 6 from No. 5 where it was ranked in November.
New to the list this month was Samsung’s Rant model, which is available at Sprint Nextel. Dropping off the list for December was the HTC Touch Pro, which ranked 7th in November.
This list differs from other recently published lists due to different tabulation methods.
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Top 10 Most Popular Handsets in December
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Device
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Last Month’s Rank
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Available At
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| 1. RIM Blackberry Curve |
1
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AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, others
|
 |
| 2. Apple iPhone |
2
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AT&T Mobility
|
 |
| 3. BlackBerry Storm |
3
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Verizon Wireless
|
 |
| 4. LG Voyager |
6
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Verizon Wireless
|
 |
| 5. LG Dare |
4
|
Verizon Wireless
|
 |
| 6. BlackBerrry Bold |
5
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AT&T Mobility
|
 |
| 7. Samsung Rant |
Not ranked
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Sprint Nextel
|
 |
| 8. Samsung Behold |
9
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T-Mobile
|
 |
| 9. Samsung Instinct |
10
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Sprint Nextel
|
 |
| 10. LG Env2 |
8
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Verizon Wireless
|
 |
| Source: Rankings provided by AvianResearch L.L.C. | |||
Article updated Feb. 24 to correct inaccurate information, and to clarify the nature of the information provided.
