Taiwan-based HTC (2498) posted third-quarter earnings on Friday that show a continued decline for the struggling smartphone maker. After a record run in mid-2011 came to an abrupt end when Apple (AAPL) launched the iPhone 4S, the company has struggled to compete in a market dominated by Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s (005930) numerous Android-powered Galaxy smartphones. In the third quarter, HTC’s net profit tumbled 79% to $133 million, making Q3 its least profitable quarter in six years. Revenue dropped 48% year-over-year to $2.4 billion. HTC has at least one flagship device launching in the U.S. ahead of the holidays, however it will be going up against the likes of Apple’s iPhone 5 and Samsung’s Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II smartphones.

Zach Epstein has worked in and around ICT for more than 15 years, first in marketing and business development with two private telcos, then as a writer and editor covering business news, consumer electronics and telecommunications. Zach’s work has been quoted by countless top news publications in the US and around the world. He was also recently named one of the world's top-10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes, as well as one of Inc. Magazine's top-30 Internet of Things experts.