Android becomes best-selling smartphone OS

[Capler]

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 10:42 am by Mikael Ricknäs, IDG-News-Service:Stockholm-Bureau

Shipments of Android-based smartphones reached 32.9 million worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2010, making Android the best-selling operating system for smartphones, market research company Canalys said on Monday
   

The Nokia-backed Symbian platform is now in second place. Worldwide shipments of Symbian-based smartphones totalled 31 million in the fourth quarter, compared to 23.9 million a year earlier. Its market share dropped from 44.4 percent to 30.6 percent, due in large part to Android’s spectacular 615.1 percent year-on-year sales growth. In a year, Android’s market share has grown from 8.4 percent to 32.5 percent.

Android’s ascent to the smartphone throne has come a few quarters earlier than previously expected, according to Pete Cunningham, analyst at Canalys. In the fourth quarter, Android was helped by strong sales from a number of vendors, including LG, Samsung, Acer and HTC, according to Canalys. HTC and Samsung together accounted for nearly 45 percent of Android smartphone shipments, Canalys said.

The top 5 smartphone OS ranking is rounded out by Apple’s iOS, the BlackBerry OS from Research In Motion, and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile.

Apple’s market share dropped by 0.3 percentage points to 16 percent, despite shipments growing from 8.7 to 16.2 million iPhones. The company still sets the benchmark for usability and the size of its ecosystem of partners and developers, Cunningham said.

RIM’s market share dropped from 20 percent to 14.4 percent, despite shipments growing from 10.7 to 14.6 million smartphones. The fact that RIM recaptured first place from Apple in the U.S sales ranking may offer some consolation.

Windows Phone 7-based smartphones appeared too late in the quarter to take full advantage of holiday season purchasing. As a result, Microsoft’s worldwide market share dropped from 7.2 percent to 3.1 percent. Sales of Windows Phone 7 smartphones have been steady, not spectacular, so far, Cunningham said.

Nokia managed to retain its position as the largest smartphone vendor, with a 28 percent share of shipments. Apple is in second place with 16 percent, followed by RIM at 14 percent, Samsung at 11 percent and HTC with 8 percent.

2011 is set to be a highly competitive year with vendors looking to use new technology, such as dual-core processors, NFC (Near-Field Communications) and 3D displays to compete for consumer spending, Canalys said.

[MrSoul]

I always hated those damn Nokia phones.

Are there smart phones better than the other smart phones or more Nokia-crap?



 

[soflorattler]

 

I like my Droid X so far... 

[Capler]

I always hated those damn Nokia phones.

Are there smart phones better than the other smart phones or more Nokia-crap?



 

Nokia is available in more places around the world.

[WileECoyote06]

I always hated those damn Nokia phones.

Are there smart phones better than the other smart phones or more Nokia-crap?



 

Nokia is available in more places around the world which.

They should have never released the N-Gage.  That was the beginning of the end in the US. .

[Lonewolf]

The title is a bit misleading. Android would be number one based on the number of different handset makers using it. Also take in account that while apple has the name alot of places still don`t have iphones.Nokia is everywhere except for Japan and Korea they have no market share there.

I had to break down and buy a phone yesterday. So I went to the store looked at several models. HTC,Sharp and samsung. Personally, I said I would never buy another Samsung product.HTC and Sharp were okay but my Japanese reading skills are not that good yet so I got the I-phone. The good thing is I can sync it with my ipad and macbook.Other that that it`s just a phone.

[Branj2]

So droid or iphone? I'm currently due for an upgrade with verizon and I'm still trying to decise between the droid and the iphone. What's the positives and downsides of both? I currently have the blackberry curve that I've had since 09.

[soflorattler]

So droid or iphone? I'm currently due for an upgrade with verizon...

Um... BJ you may want to check on that. They discontinued that promo, but I'm not sure if current customers are grandfathered in...

[Capler]

So droid or iphone? I'm currently due for an upgrade with verizon and I'm still trying to decise between the droid and the iphone. What's the positives and downsides of both? I currently have the blackberry curve that I've had since 09.

The only thing I can think of is that Apple puts you under one umbrella, where Android is very fragmented. Apple is a closed community and controls everything that comes in and out for that matter. Apple fans like that level of security. Android is becoming more like Windows, where everybody is involved. When that happens, you start getting a lot of people who want to invade and reap havoc. 
The positive is that Android is faster at coming up with innovations being that so many players are involved and are competing with one another.

The iphone (iOS) environment is very polished and user friendly. 

[WileECoyote06]

So droid or iphone? I'm currently due for an upgrade with verizon and I'm still trying to decise between the droid and the iphone. What's the positives and downsides of both? I currently have the blackberry curve that I've had since 09.

Wait until the summer.  The first gen iPhones on verizon will be eclipsed soon.

[Shelt from Skegee]

So droid or iphone? I'm currently due for an upgrade with verizon and I'm still trying to decise between the droid and the iphone. What's the positives and downsides of both? I currently have the blackberry curve that I've had since 09.

The only thing I can think of is that Apple puts you under one umbrella, where Android is very fragmented. Apple is a closed community and controls everything that comes in and out for that matter. Apple fans like that level of security. Android is becoming more like Windows, where everybody is involved. When that happens, you start getting a lot of people who want to invade and reap havoc. 
The positive is that Android is faster at coming up with innovations being that so many players are involved and are competing with one another.

The iphone (iOS) environment is very polished and user friendly. 

I have a Droid phone (HTC EVO) and I've used an Iphone.  I find very little discernable difference between the to environments. 

[Snapper]

I have the samsung facinate and i love it...i want one of the new duo core phones when they come out...but for now ..i'm happy.

[Capler]

Ok Branj, I'm going to have to pull rank here. Apple products have status. You will be the belle of the ball when you pull out your iPhone in a crowd. People will clamor to be your friend. It's an exclusive club and we don't let everybody in. Look at M&G, poor fella has been trying to get in for years now. But every time he applies, I have to drop a black ball into the basket. He's not Apple material, always crying about high prices and such. He would not fit into the culture. When Steve Jobs announce a new product, Apple Heads are expected to line up hours ahead of time with wallets in hand. M&G won't do this. I can see him now rolling up to the Apple store asking about the lay-away plan. 

[Maroon and Gray]

 

[Branj2]

Ok Branj, I'm going to have to pull rank here. Apple products have status. You will be the belle of the ball when you pull out your iPhone in a crowd. People will clamor to be your friend. It's an exclusive club and we don't let everybody in. Look at M&G, poor fella has been trying to get in for years now. But every time he applies, I have to drop a black ball into the basket. He's not Apple material, always crying about high prices and such. He would not fit into the culture. When Steve Jobs announce a new product, Apple Heads are expected to line up hours ahead of time with wallets in hand. M&G won't do this. I can see him now rolling up to the Apple store asking about the lay-away plan.