The global smartphone market has grown 25 percent year-over-year, according to the latest report from IDC. The report shows that the market has seen a massive jump in total smartphone shipments during Q3 when compared to the same time period in 2013. IDC's report also pushes aside rumors that the market is in decline.

While it may appear as though the market is declining due to saturation in developed areas, many tech companies are focused on emerging markets. Those countries have far more people who are without modern handsets, so there is room for growth in the smartphone market, and that is what we are seeing.

Of all the top smartphone companies in the world, the only one that saw a shipment decline year-over-year was Samsung, though it remains the top handset maker. Apple has been able to ship a large number of smartphone units in recent months, and the company's older iPhone 5S was its most popular during Q3.