It’s musical chairs time for the wireless handset providers. And this time LG Electronics (LGERF.PK) and Motorola (MOT) were the ones left standing, while Sony Ericsson got a better spot, taking the No. 3 seat.

Gartner (IT) reported Nokia (NOK) remains No. 1, with 38.2 percent share in the third quarter. Samsung (EWY) is No. 2, with 17.1 percent of the global market. (However, Samsung earlier this month called itself the top U.S. handset vendor.)

And the three above-mentioned vendors, all holding about 8 percent of the global market share, have been duking it out for the third position, with Sony Ericsson having ascended into the No. 3 spot in the third quarter. (Motorola last year at this time was bumped to third place in the wireless handset manufacturer race by Samsung.)

But, please, hold your applause. Gartner pointed out that despite its improved market share, Sony Ericsson’s third quarter financials were down from the same quarter in 2007, when its market share was lower.