Gartner's latest survey of the the mobile marketplace shows the growth of smart-phones continuing, with a worldwide increase in the order of 16%, but with a particularly large jump in the US market. Total Q2 sales were 32.2 million, and reflecting the recently released Symbian figures, Nokia retained the largest market share (47.5%), but with slower growth than others in the market.

Interestingly, Apple's market share almost halved, dropping from 5.3% to 2.8%; although this was due to stock clearance awaiting the launch of the 3g based unit. Expect the Q3 figures to return to previous levels, and the ability to promote a 200% increase in sales from the launch of 3g.

"To stay competitive, Nokia will need to introduce more design variations amongst its Nseries models and keep innovating. The expected introduction of a touch-screen smartphone in the second half of 2008 will test the company's capability to show differentiation and innovation," [comments Gartner].

As with all statistics, they can be spun round to your own viewpoint - so Nokia's slowing can either signify a loss of confidence in the market; reflecting a lack of focus on the North American market; a result of not having any new units launched in the period, or a mix of these and other reasons.

Pick whatever flavour of story you like from the report, which can be found here.