Global smartphone shipments reached 229.6 million units in Q2 2013, up 46.7 percent from 156.5 million in Q2 2012. Breaking those numbers down, Google’s Android secured a whopping 79.5 percent global share, Apple’s iOS fell to 13.6 percent, and Windows Phone took third with 3.9 percent.
Here’s the full breakdown for annual growth:
The latest figures are from Strategy Analytics, which noted Google’s Android has hit a new high while Microsoft has managed to solidify its position in third place.
Strategy Analytics had three analysts comment on the report. The first two concluded Android growth was driven by strong demand for models across all price-tiers in both developed and developing markets, competitive licensing costs, numerous hardware partners, and a large apps store.
They also noted Apple’s iOS hit its lowest level since Q2 2010. On the other hand, Microsoft reached its highest level in the global smartphone market since three years ago, largely thanks to strong support from Nokia.
“However, we believe Microsoft’s WP8 platform still needs to improve in at least two areas before it truly takes off,” Linda Sui, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said in a statement. “First, the license fee charged to smartphone makers for WP8 must be more competitive to compete with Android in lower price-bands. And second, Microsoft must dramatically accelerate its support for advanced technologies, such as octo-core chipsets, because WP8 continues to lag behind Android in the premium smartphone category.”
These latest figures are a reminder at just how well Android is doing worldwide as opposed to just in the US, as well as its position in smartphones compared to tablets. Check out two other reports that came out this week for a comparison.
See also – Android top US smartphone platform with 52% of sales, Windows Phone charts highest growth: Kantar and Strategy Analytics: Android tablet shipments up to 67% in Q2 2013, iOS fell to 28.3%, and Windows secured 4.5%
Top Image Credit: Toshifumi Kitamura/Getty Images
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