Android and iOS Now Control Over 80% of Smartphone Sales in U.S.
Market research firm NPD today issued a press release discussing some of the trends in U.S. smartphone sales in 2011 compared to previous years, noting the strong growth in Android and iOS that has led the two platforms to now represent a commanding 80% of the market between them.
“The competitive landscape for smartphones, which has been reshaped by Apple and Google, has ultimately forced every major handset provider through a major transition,” said Ross Rubin, executive director, Connected Intelligence for The NPD Group. “For many of them, 2012 will be a critical year in assessing how effective their responses have been.”
The dramatic shift in the smartphone platform landscape is illustrated in a comparison chart (via BGR) showing how market shares have changed each year since 2006.
Back in 2006 before the launch of the iPhone, Research in Motion and Windows Mobile were neck-and-neck atop the smartphone market, with each taking 37% of sales. Palm held down third place with 17% of the market. Five years later, each of those platforms (or their successors) have seen their shares shrink dramatically as iOS and Android have grown substantially.
The past year has seen a continuation of the longer-term trend, with Android's market-leading share growing from 42% of the market to 53% and iOS growing from 21% to 29%. Third-place Research in Motion has experienced a remarkable collapse from its position atop the market just two years ago, falling from 44% in 2009 to 25% in 2010 and dropping again to just 10% so far in 2011.
Popular Stories
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors.
According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices.
Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac:
Model
Starting Price
Model
Starting Price
Change
iPhone 16
$799
iPhone 17
...
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface.
The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas.
Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial
The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive.
If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
We're only days away from Apple's "Awe dropping" fall event scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023.
By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for...
