After the worst year ever for the mobile industry, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel as experts predict growth in the fourth quarter of 2009. This will give hope for mobile phone manufacturers that the market will return to its former strength at the turn of 2010.

Nevertheless, research company, Strategy Analytics have also suggested that despite the probable upturn in fortunes there will be significant over supply and price cutting for consumers in the New Year. The third quarter of 2009 revealed a 4% decline in mobile sales in comparison to this time last year, but a 3% annual growth in the lead up to Christmas could prove the saviour after a worrying twelve months.

There appears to be heightened interest in both Samsung mobile phones and LG mobile phones as the manufacturers enjoyed 16% and 37% increases in their share of the market respectively. Indeed, Samsung now boast their highest ever share of the mobile market, accommodating over 20% of all mobile users - the first time a vendor other than Nokia has achieved this feat since the initial craze surrounding Motorola's RAZR handsets.

Despite the worst year in history for the mobile industry, the strength of particular brands is there for all to see. Apple revealed a 2.5% market growth following the success of its new iPhone 3GS this autumn.

There is much to look forward to for consumers over the coming months, with a host of new and exciting mobiles and smartphones on the horizon. HTC mobiles and smartphones are making a bold autumn push with both products and advertising, with the HTC HD2 set to be their showcase release. Nokia mobile phones remain the most popular in the market and the latest Nokia N97 Mini lives up to its name as a reduced, yet powerful evolution of the original Nokia N97.