Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd emerged as the world's third-largest smartphone vendor in the fourth quarter of 2012, as traditional mobile phone manufacturers like Nokia Corp and HTC Corp tumbled.

The Shenzhen-based Huawei climbed for the first time to the top five list, according to a report issued by International Data Corp.

Huawei shipped 10.8 million smartphones, which represents a 4.9 percent market share, in the fourth quarter, only behind Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Apple Inc, the report said.