Research in Motion's BlackBerry Curve moved past Apple's iPhone in the first quarter to become the best-selling phone in the U.S., according to market researchers at The NPD Group.

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According to an NPD survey, the five best-selling smartphones in first three months of the year were the BlackBerry Curve, Apple iPhone 3G, BlackBerry Storm, BlackBerry Pearl (excluding the Pearl Flip) and the T-Mobile G1 with Google's Android operating system.

"The Curve was able to leapfrog the iPhone, due to its broader availability on the four major carriers, while the iPhone remains exclusive to AT&T," said Ross Rubin, an analyst for The NPD Group. "Another reason is that Verizon's buy-one-get-one-free promotion pushed it over the top."

RIM snagged nearly 50 percent of the consumer smartphone market in the first quarter, up 15 percent from the previous period, as Apple's and Palm's share both dropped 10 percent during that time.

During its second quarter this year, Apple shipped 3.8 million iPhones. RIM shipped 7.8 million BlackBerrys in its fourth quarter.

The smartphone wars are just starting to intensify. Apple is set to unveil its new iPhone in the next few months, while Palm's Pre smartphone is expected to launch during the second quarter.

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