Second quarter 2012 shipments of Samsung smartphones reached about 52.1 million, or twice as much the number of Apple iPhones shipped between April and June 2012, according to a study conducted by Juniper Research.

The UK market research company released its findings Thursday, and duly commented about the commanding lead Samsung now holds over Apple in the smartphone race. Juniper cited the Samsung Galaxy S3 “flagship” smartphone as the primary reason behind Samsung’s phenomenal Q2 2012 performance.

Approximately 10 million Galaxy S3 units were shipped last quarter, as per Juniper’s findings. Samsung has yet to provide confirmation on its actual second quarter performance.

The research findings came shortly after Apple’s third fiscal quarter (Q2 2012) earnings conference, where officials announced that the Cupertino, CA company had sold 26 million iPhones. Although Apple fell two million short of most investor forecasts, the company still reported a 28 percent year-on-year growth in iPhone shipments.

This performance was nonetheless considered disappointing by most financial observers.

Apple’s slightly sluggish Q2 2012 performance may likely be repeated in Q3 2012, say most analysts, but the possibility still looms large of a strong Q4 2012 showing. Apple will be releasing the iPhone 5 this fall, most probably towards the end of October.

According to Juniper Research, Apple may remain in second place in the fourth quarter of 2012, but would definitely edge closer to the South Korean company following the new iPhone’s launch.