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iOS reclaimed the lead in the Australian smartphone market for the fourth quarter of 2017, according to research firm IDC, fuelled by the release of the iPhone X in November. 1.76 million iOS devices were shipped for the quarter, registering market share of 56.2 percent, up from 54.9 percent in Q4 2016, representing year-on-year unit growth of 14.5 percent, according to the firm's Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Android, meanwhile, saw shipments of 1.37 million -- representing year-on-year growth of 9.7 percent -- and market share of 43.8 percent for the quarter, down from 44.6 percent in Q4 2016. Overall, the Australian smartphone market exceeded growth expectations, the firm said, with 3.36 million devices shipped in the quarter, showing year-on-year growth of 15.7 percent. "Riding on the back of the very successful iPhone X launch, the tables have turned, and iOS has not only returned to the top but stretched its lead," said Bilal Javed, IDC senior market analyst. "On the back of new Android product launches witnessed at MWC last week along with the hype around 5G plus advancements in means that the smartphone market will remain highly competitive, and vendors will need to continue to innovate or rick falling behind." Samsung was the second-placed manufacturer for the quarter, behind Apple, despite the Korean company's share dropping from 24.6 percent in Q3 2017 to 15.4 percent in Q4 2017. Samsung shipments were bolstered by the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and Galaxy Note 8, which collectively accounted for 55 percent of all Samsung smartphones sold. The company's J and A series also saw growth, IDC added. Just 45 individual Windows phones were sold in the quarter in Australia, resulting in a year-on-year drop of 99.7 percent. A lack of new devices and apps on Windows across consumer and commercial segments contributed to the fall. Global smartphone sales dipped dramatically in the last three months of 2017 and were at best flat for the whole of 2017,