Nokia is expected to suffer a major blow this quarter as Nomura analysts said that the company will lose its rank as largest smartphone manufacturer this quarter. For the first time in 15 years, Nokia will drop below competitors: Samsung will take the lead, followed by Apple and Nokia, Nomura said.

Nokia maintains that it will be launching Windows Phone 7 devices later this year, but the company has been criticized that it virtually destroyed its current sales potential by telling consumers that it will phase its Symbian operating system out. All current Nokia phones have, at least as far as platform support is concerned, little to no value. Nokia’s credibility is badly damaged these days and its sales appear to be in a free fall, as the company is not even providing a business outlook anymore. However, Microsoft will depend on Nokia to make Windows Phone 7 a success.

IDC mentioned in early May that Samsung had surpassed in mobile phone sales in Western Europe during the first quarter of this year. However, if Nomura’s forecast is correct, it now seems as if Nokia loses its global leadership in the fastest growing segment of the cell phone market.

SOURCE via Reuters