According to a new study by Canalys, global smartphone shipments grew 3.9% year on year to 41.4 million units in the third quarter of 2009. Eighty percent of this volume was made by Nokia, RIM, Apple and HTC. The market research firm also indicated that over 80% of smartphones now ship with integrated GPS, while more than 75% have Wi-Fi built in. The proportion of smartphones with touch screen reached 45%, up from 31% one year ago.

The growth in the third quarter was slower than the 13% annual growth seen during the previous one, and held back primarily by a six percent fall in EMEA. Shipments in North America were up five percent, but the APAC region saw a remarkable 26% rise after several flat quarters, a clear consequence of the improving economic situation in that region.

Nokia retained its worldwide smartphone lead, with a share of 40% – slightly up on its year-ago position, but down almost 5% sequentially. RIM held onto second place with a largely unchanged (compared to the second quarter) share of 21%, while Apple reached a new high of 18% share in third, significantly up from the 14% it held in the previous quarter as supply of the iPhone 3GS improved in many countries. HTC retained its fourth-place position with 5% share.

Looking at the market by operating system, Symbian’s overall lead shrank as its share fell to 46%, ahead of RIM and Apple. Microsoft remained in fourth with its share dipping slightly below last quarter’s previous low point of 9%. The proportion of smartphones running Google’s Android OS climbed to almost 4%, from just under 3% in the second quarter.