Apple Inc.'s smartphone market share in China slipped to 10.4 percent in the third quarter of 2011 from the 13.3 percent in the previous quarter, and became the fourth largest smartphone brand in the country.

Nokia remained the largest smartphone provider in China, although its market share shrank 26.8 percent in Q3 from 36.2 percent a year ago and 71.4 percent two years ago. Samsung and Huawei Technologies snapped up the second and third spots, holding 19.2 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

Last quarter marked the first time that Apple's market share in mainland China has dropped. Meanwhile, Apple also saw its market share decline in other parts of the world.

According to data released by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, during the 12 weeks before the end of November, Apple's market share in France and Germany dropped to 20 percent and 22 percent, respectively, from last year's 29 percent and 27 percent. Similar declines also occurred in Italy and Spain.

China's business press carried the story above on Monday.