The competition to become the top smartphone brand is definitely cutthroat, and it’s one that Nokia has dominated for the past 14 years. It looks like that’ll all change soon, with Samsung poised to take that first place spot from Nokia to become the top smartphone brand in 2012. That’s according to a new IHS iSuppli report, which claims that Samsung will account for 29% of all smartphone shipments by the end of the year.

Last year, Samsung only managed to take 24% market share for itself, which couldn’t beat Nokia’s 30% market share. This year the tables have turned, with Nokia projected to drop down to 24% and pave the way for Samsung to take the crown. Apple is projected to hold steady at third, gaining three percentage points to settle at 10% market share for the year.

That means Samsung will be well ahead of its archnemesis, widening the gap between the two to a significant 19 percentage points. ZTE isn’t expected to experience any real change, staying at 6% from 2011 to 2012, while LG comes in at fifth, losing two percentage points and falling to 4%. It should also be a big year for smartphones in general, with IHS saying that smartphone shipments will rise 35.5% while overall cell phone shipments will only increase by a single percentage point. This means that smartphones will enjoy further adoption by the mobile phone using public, which must be music to all these companies’ ears.

Of course, it isn’t all that surprising to see Samsung come out above Nokia for 2012, with the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II as big as they are. Nokia hasn’t had any major hits this year, and its flagship devices for 2012 just recently launched. If Windows Phone 8 takes off, Nokia may be able to reclaim its title in 2013, but it’ll have some tough competition regardless thanks next year’s release of the Galaxy S IV. Stay tuned!

[via SlashGear]