Sony Ericsson has replaced LG Electronics to acquire the number four position in the global mobile handset market in the third quarter, helped by strong demand for its Walkman phone. While Nokia's share of the market in the three months to the end of September rose to 32.6 per cent, up from 31.9 per cent in the second quarter, Motorola improved its share from 17.9 per cent to 18.7 per cent. Third-placed Samsung's market share dropped for the third consecutive quarter to 12.5 per cent. In the third quarterlast year, Samsung displaced Motorola as the world's second biggest handset maker but its fortunes have since gone into decline.