ZTE can now have a celebratory drink, announcing they're become the fourth biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world as of Q3 2012. Hitting fourth place is a huge thing, as they've just taken it from struggling phone maker, HTC.

ZTE shipped just 7.5 million handsets in Q3, and while it might not compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung, being in fourth place is still an achievement in itself. In Q3 2012, ZTE were only 0.1% ahead of RIM, so things may change early next year if BlackBerry 10 is successful for yet another struggling phone maker, Research in Motion.

Things will change rapidly in the coming months, with Google going full steam ahead with Nexus-branded devices such as the amazing $299 Nexus 4, Apple's iPhone 5 is now here, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 has just officially launched, and we're sure to see a Galaxy S IV in early-2013, too.