The race for the leading smartphone platform has been decided. In the fourth quarter of 2012, Android phones accounted for almost 70 percent of global smartphone sales to end users, relegating Apple’s iOS to a distant second. Apple still hold roughly one fifth of the smartphone market, but it won’t catch up with Android anytime soon.
The third ranked BackBerry continued to lose market share, but will surely hope to regain some traction following the release of the well-received BlackBerry 10 OS. Microsoft increased its market share from 1.8 percent in Q4 2011 to 3 percent, but for now Windows Phone remains a niche platform.
Android Holds Dominant Lead in the Smartphone Market
Description
This chart shows smartphone operating system market share in Q4 2012, based on unit sales to end users. In the quarter ended December 31, 2012, Android phones accounted for nearly 70 percent of global smartphone sales.
