Apple's decision to equip its new iPhone models with larger screens has not only helped them to report the most profitable quarter of any company ever, it has also helped them reclaim the smartphone throne for the first time since 2012. The Cupertino-based company sold 74.8 million iPhones during the 2014 holiday quarter, just edging out Samsung which saw its sales decline to 73 million units. Meanwhile Chinese smartphone vendors continued to strengthen their position, with Lenovo, Huawei and Xiaomi all making it into the Top 5. Especially Xiaomi has made big strides in 2014. According to Gartner, the company more than tripled its fourth quarter sales compared to 2013.