Android gets record 87.5% of smartphone market: survey

7 Nov 2016

WASHINGTON: Google's Android operating system captured a record-high 87.5 percent of the global smartphone market in the third quarter, a research firm said.

USA-Reiseblogger via Pixabay

The survey released Wednesday by Strategy Analytics found Android's share increase from 84.1% in the same period a year ago, while Apple's iOS saw its share slip to 12.1% from 13.6%.

"Android's leadership of the global smartphone market looks unassailable at the moment," said Strategy Analytics' Woody Oh.

"Its low-cost services and user-friendly software remain attractive to hardware makers, operators and consumers worldwide."

Oh added that the dominance of Android poses challenges for Google, which offers the system for free to manufacturers.

"The Android platform is getting overcrowded with hundreds of manufacturers, few Android device vendors make profits, and Google's new Pixel range is attacking its own hardware partners that made Android popular in the first place," he said.

The report said global smartphone shipments grew 6% from a year ago to 375.4 million in the quarter, the fastest growth rate for a year.

According to the survey, the market share for other operating systems including Windows and BlackBerry fell to a minuscule 0.3% from 2.3% last year.

"BlackBerry and Microsoft Windows Phone have all but disappeared due to strategic shifts, while (Samsung's) Tizen and other emerging platforms softened as a result of limited product portfolios and modest developer support," said Neil Mawston, executive director of the research firm.

Source: AFP

Source: I-Net Bridge

For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.

We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.

Go to: http://www.inet.co.za