A total of at least 1.4 billion smartphones were reported to have been shipped globally in the year 2015, giving the sector a new record. Most of the shipments contained Chinese handsets.

The recorded shipment is said to be above 10% higher than the unprecedented 1.43 billion. This information is from the preliminary figures released by the International Data Corporation (IDC) and reported by Times of India.

On top of the list of cellphone makers is the South Korean brand with shipments that amounted to more or less 85.6 million units in the fourth quarter alone and 324.8 million for the whole year. This is according to the IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report.

The brand has been facing an extreme challenge from US-based Apple and from China-based Xiaomi and Huawei, for high-end smartphone and mid- or low-priced phones, respectively.

"Usually the conversation in the smartphone market revolves around Samsung and Apple, but Huawei's strong showing for both the quarter and the year speak to how much it has grown as an international brand," said IDC's Melissa Chau. "While there is a lot of uncertainty around the economic slowdown in China, Huawei is one of the few brands from China that has successfully diversified worldwide."

Landing on the second place is Apple, which is said to have shipped a record-setting 74.8 million iPhones in the last quarter of 2015 and 231.5 million units for the whole year.

"Apple assured the public that demand for its premium smartphones is still alive and kicking," said IDC's Anthony Scarsella, referring to the new figures. "A new record-setting quarter for Apple indicates consumers continued demand for Apple's latest offerings regarding upgraded hardware and software."

Huawei, meanwhile, has shipped a total of 106.6 million for the whole year with 32.4 million smartphones accounting for the final quarter. It is presently in the fourth place. However, Chau believed it will perform better this year.

"Huawei is poised to be in a good position to hold onto a strong number three over the next year," Chau said.