According to Forbes online, Apple's iPhone will leave behind RIM's BlackBerry in the worldwide smart phone market by 2011.

At present, BlackBerry holds about 3% of global cellphone market, whereas Apple's has 2% share of the market.

However, BlackBerry's lead over iPhone is decreasing day-by-day and Apple will go beyond RIM by 2011.

The online issue said, "We expect Apple's market share to overtake that of RIM by 2011, and for Apple and RIM to have 11 % and 8% market share, respectively, by the end of Trefis forecast period.''

"We believe sales of the iPhone will eventually outpace BlackBerry sales,'' the report added.

Giving its reasons, Forbes online said, "Apple's ecosystem of consumer products (Macs, iPad, Apple TV) and services (iTunes, iPhones apps) make the iPhone a more attractive phone for many consumers compared to the BlackBerry."

Both Apple & RIM have been making hefty gains since 2007, with iPhone growing its market share from 0.3% to 2% and BlackBerry climbing from 1% to 3%.

BlackBerry caught the world's corporate market owing to safe messaging.

But, with Apple's glossy iPhone hitting the consumer market, the numbers game is slowly slipping away from the BlackBerry. (With Input from Agencies)