Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) can actually claim to have beaten the operating platforms of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) in at least one respect.

Technology research firm Strategy Analytics estimates that  Nokia, which operates on Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system, shipped 6.9 million Lumia phones during the initial three quarters following its launch in 2011. Meanwhile, 3.7 million iPhones were shipped in the first three quarters following its release in 2007 while 1.3 million phones from the Samsung Android family were shipped in that period of time following its 2009 launch.

“Based on historical shipment benchmarks, Nokia’s new Lumia portfolio is performing reasonably well, ” Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawston said in a statement. “Some of the pessimism surrounding Nokia and Microsoft’s emerging partnership so far may be misplaced.”

However, Mawtson cautioned that anticipation for Apple’s iPhone 5, along with strong sales of  Samsung Galaxy 3 means Nokia “will need to pull something impressive out of the bag” for the Microsoft and Nokia’s momentum to continue.

This success doesn’t factor in the massive growth of smartphones sold over the past several years. About 55% of U.S. mobile phone users owned a smartphone as of last month, according to Nielsen. Only 25% owned a smartphone in 2010.

Microsoft has confirmed its Windows Phone 8 operating system will be released in October, with Nokia announcing it would manufacture the first phones to use the new system. Nokia recently has struggled to survive amid a competitive smartphone market. The firm announced it was cutting 10,000 jobs last month and announced Thursday a 39% drop in the number of smartphones it sold in the second quarter to 10.2 million.

Samuel Weigley

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