Anyone still wondering if the iPhone 4S was enough of an upgrade to help Apple maintain industry dominance can stop pondering, as a recent report from Gartner claims that Apple has officially surpassed Samsung as the maker of the world’s most-wanted phones. According to the numbers, Apple moved 35.5 million smartphones in Q4 (primarily driven by the iPhone 4S), while Samsung trailed with 34 million. Not only have these numbers allowed Apple to become the dominant force in smartphones, but the company has also surpassed LG to become the third biggest vendor of all mobile devices, period.

The only thing that might rain on the Apple parade is that Gartner is expecting very little pent-up iPhone demand, and is already assuming there will be a substantial drop in sales during Q1. The assumption is that the majority of folks interested in upgrading or buying a 4S have already done so, and sales numbers will likely slacken until the iPhone 5 is launched. Even so, let’s share the breaking news one more time; Apple phones are quite popular.

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