LG Electronics' smartphone market share in the U.S. reached a record high of 20 percent in the first quarter of this year, before the release of the latest G6 flagship model.

According to data relased by Strategy Analytics (SA), the high numbers come on the steady popularity of both premium and affordable LG phones. The South Korean company shipped 7.3 million smartphones in the United States in the January-March period, with its market share rising about 3 percentage points from 17.1 percent tallied a year earlier. Sales of LG's latest flagship G6 were not counted in the specific three-month period.

The analysis firm said the first quarter figures allowed LG to broaden its lead over ZTE, which had a 6.7 percent market share, while reduced the gap with No. 2 Samsung Electronics (24.6%, 9 million handsets).

Apple remained the No. 1 player in the United States. The company enjoyed a market share of 34.5 percent and it is estimated that it sold about 12.6 million phones.

SA said that if Canada is included, LG shipped out 7.6 million phones, with the market shares in the two North American markets reaching an all-time high of 19.6 percent.