iPhone 4S a Bestseller for Top 3 U.S. Mobile Carriers

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Apple is in for a happy holiday season this year, as the iPhone 4S becomes the top-selling smartphone among the three top mobile carriers in the U.S. Previous model iPhones — the 4 and the 3GS — are also doing well.

Apple is the darling of consumers and mobile phone carriers, apparently. According to October estimates by Canaccord Genuity analysts, the iPhone 4S was the best-selling smartphone for Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint for the month of October, despite the handset being available for only half of the month. The same trend is expected through November and throughout the rest of 2011. “Our October checks indicated the iPhone 4S was the top selling model at AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon with the iPhone 4, now $100, a top 3 selling model at each of those channels, says analyst Mike Walkley of their industry estimates.

And even with the launch of the iPhone 4S, older versions like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS are still going strong due to price drops. The iPhone 4 is now selling for $99 with plan. Meanwhile, AT&T is now offering the iPhone 3GS for free with a plan, which makes it a strong challenger against low-end smartphone offerings running Android.

Given this optimistic outlook, Canaccord Genuity has increased its estimate of iPhone sales from 27 million to 29 million units this 4th quarter of 2011 (which corresponds to Apple’s 1st fiscal quarter of 2012). The analyst’s share price target estimate is also increased from $545 per share to $560, and AAPL is given a “Buy” rating.

In recent news, Apple has captured more than 50% of the mobile phone industry’s operating margins, even as it only owns 4.2% of the entire industry, which includes both smartphones and non-smartphones. This feat can be credited to Apple’s efficient operations and supply chain management.