iPhone 5S vs. Samsung Galaxy S5 Sales Battle Still Favors Apple Flagship, Data Shows

The 2013 iPhone 5S is still the hottest ticket with consumers despite the recent release of Samsung's Galaxy S5 smartphone, according to data "from 35 countries" complied by research firm Counterpoint (via Cult of Mac).

The 5S was named the world's top smartphone by the firm after a first-place finish, with the Galaxy S5 coming in at second overall. Samsung, however, controlled the second, third and fourth spots in the top ten with the GS5, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3. Apple's plastic iPhone 5C finished fifth.

According to the report, phablets are on the rise - a good sign for Apple as it prepares to launch two larger-screened iPhone 6 models this fall.

"There are now 3 phablets in the top 10 list which reflects the ongoing trend of larger displays," Counterpoint's report noted. "Almost 40% of the smartphones sold in May were phablets according to Counterpoint's channel research across 35 countries. If Apple comes out with a phablet later this year it will instantly become a hit and top the list of phablets within two months of availability."

The report falls in line with another recent comparison of the devices in the U.K.

However, while the Galaxy S5 trails both the 5S and the 5C in the UK, it also appears that Apple loyalists in the country are switching sides.

GSMArena reports that 26 percent of iPhone users in Britain have decided to buy a Galaxy S5 - a significant jump from the 12 percent new adoption rate from 2013. However, this figure wasn't as high elsewhere, as the rest of Europe featured a 17 percent rate, while only eight percent switched in the U.S.

Although the GS5 is clearly recruiting some ex-iPhone owners too anxious to wait for the larger-screened iPhone 6 models, it still sits third in market share in the UK (nine percent). The iPhone 5c (11.1 percent) and iPhone 5S (11 percent) were first and second, respectively.