Samsung has taken the lead in Ireland's mobile phone market for the first time, new data shows.

According to figures from GFK Retail and Technology, the manufacturer's handsets accounted for 37.3 per cent of Ireland’s mobile market in September.

Samsung was also the top smartphone brand during the month, at 47.6 per cent of the market, the second consecutive month that it has occupied the number one spot. 

General manager of Samsung Mobile Ireland Gary Twohig said the latest figures reflected the brand's success, with the new Galaxy S II handset a major contributor.

"The Galaxy Tab 10.1, which we launched in the Irish market in August, has also performed very well for us," he said. "We have ambitious plans for the Samsung family of mobile devices over the coming months and are confident of maintaining our strong growth in Ireland through the busy Christmas period and into 2012.”

Samsung is going head to head with Apple's iPhone around the world as both brands compete for the number one spot in the mobile market. The company today announced the availability of its new Galaxy Nexus, which will be the first phone to use the latest version of Google's Android operating system, known as Ice Cream Sandwich.

The phone is expected to rival Apple's iPhone 4S, which went on sale in the US, Australia, the UK, France and Germany on October 14th. It is expected to launch in Ireland by the end of the month.

Samsung and Apple have sued each other in nine countries, spannign more than 20 cases, since April

The company has already sought a sales ban on the iPhone 4S in French and Italian courts, claiming it infringes some of its patents.