The US mobile data market grew 3% quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q) and 17% year-over-year (Y/Y )to reach US$19.9 billion in the third quarter of 2012, according to a report published Monday by Chetan Sharma (www.chetansharma.com), an independent mobile analyst.

Apple dominates both the smartphone revenues and, “more importantly just crushes the competition on device profits,” according to the research group. It has only 6% of the global unit shipment share but over 70% profit share.

“In tablets, Apple completely dominates the landscape in both shipments and revenue,” says Chetan Sharma. “In fact, 95% of the profits in the tablet segment go to Apple with the remaining ecosystem fighting for the crumbs. Apple has the complete stronghold on the supply chain and has sucked out the oxygen from the OEM [original equipment manufacturer] world.”