Gartner analyzed the numbers for smartphone sales and it looks like the iPhone 3G played a big role in bolstering the market. And even though hard economic times make smartphone purchases difficult for many consumers, the devices are rising in popularity.

32.2 million smartphones were sold in Q2 this year, which is up 15.7% from the previous year. However, the third quarter showed great promise as well. This was primarily due to the introduction of the iPhone 3G in July. It boosted sales of smartphones so that 11% of mobile phone sales could be attributed to smartphones.

This is significant. Especially when you factor in the smartphone market growth in America alone. Smartphone sales grew 78.7% this year, which adds up to about 25% of smartphone sales in the world! And it seems like the iPhone 3G takes a large chunk of that pie.
 
[via iPhone Central]