Android rules U.S. and Europe smartphone sales

[afv011]

For the first time ever, Android has dominated smartphone sales in several major markets, including the U.S., Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, and Australia, according to data released today by market analysis firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

Source

[HarryT]

The article also notes, however, that Android's share of the US market has fallen by 7% over the last year, while Apple's has grown by 9%, so it's not entirely a good news story for Android.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The article also notes, however, that Android's share of the US market has fallen by 7% over the last year, while Apple's has grown by 9%, so it's not entirely a good news story for Android.

It is certainly better news for Android than it is for Apple.
The article in question also referenced this article.

The firm's latest research showed that Android picked up strong market share gains in most of the seven major nations around the world, including the United States, Australia, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The gains were measured over a 12-week period up until mid April. Android more than doubled its share in Spain to 72 percent, Reuters noted, and almost doubled it in Germany to 62 percent.

[HarryT]

Isn't there a contradiction there? How can Android have "picked up strong market share gains" in the US, if their market share has fallen there? Sorry - I must be missing something.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Isn't there a contradiction there? How can Android have "picked up strong market share gains" in the US, if their market share has fallen there? Sorry - I must be missing something.

You probably are missing something, if you have to ask. It just requires reading both articles and taking note of what is said. One hint, is the time frame of the market share movements. As someone once said "Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_D...and_Statistics

[afv011]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The article also notes, however, that Android's share of the US market has fallen by 7% over the last year, while Apple's has grown by 9%, so it's not entirely a good news story for Android.

Well, Apple's only grown on the US and GB, and lost in every other market. Android has grown in every market other than the US. I count that as good news overall for Android, especially with most of the gains in the 20s% (as much as 42% in Spain).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by afv011

Well, Apple's only grown on the US and GB, and lost in every other market. Android has grown in every market other than the US. I count that as good news overall for Android, especially with most of the gains in the 20s% (as much as 42% in Spain).

I agree entirely.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by afv011

Well, Apple's only grown on the US and GB, and lost in every other market. Android has grown in every market other than the US. I count that as good news overall for Android, especially with most of the gains in the 20s% (as much as 42% in Spain).

Your original article also stated that Apple's little pop was due to new model introductions, which IMHO is indicative of a temporary surge and not a long term trend. Apple is a single manufacturer, while Android has a larger number of quality competent manufacturers all releasing new products. So while Apple can have an occasional surge, there are multiple opportunities for Android surges feed from multiple sources.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Your original article also stated that Apple's little pop was due to new model introductions, which IMHO is indicative of a temporary surge and not a long term trend. Apple is a single manufacturer, while Android has a larger number of quality competent manufacturers all releasing new products. So while Apple can have an occasional surge, there are multiple opportunities for Android surges feed from multiple sources.

The other side of the coin, however, is that Android's market share is split across multiple manufacturers, so it's difficult to judge how well any particular one of them is doing relative to Apple (who, of course, have their market share all to themselves). I imagine Samsung are the largest manufacturer of Android Smartphones (?); it would be interesting to see how they are doing compared to Apple.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I imagine Samsung are the largest manufacturer of Android Smartphones (?); it would be interesting to see how they are doing compared to Apple.

You are right about Samsung being the current largest and most popular Android smartphone supplier. It is also currently the largest and most popular smartphone manufacturer as of May this year. Probably more so, now.

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[=X=]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The other side of the coin, however, is that Android's market share is split across multiple manufacturers, so it's difficult to judge how well any particular one of them is doing relative to Apple (who, of course, have their market share all to themselves). I imagine Samsung are the largest manufacturer of Android Smartphones (?); it would be interesting to see how they are doing compared to Apple.

There is a clear winner in the Android market and that is Samsung. I read an article recently where Samsung has surpassed Apple in brand for the UK.

My take with why Android manufactures not making money has little to do with iOS, Android, etc.. It has to do with the product they are making many manufactures are not listing to consumers they are making poor product that are overpriced. Samsung has been making quality products at a reasonable price. On the Tablet that has been ASUS.


Let me ask you this, as a consumer how to you win if a company your loyal to is making festoons of cash? One doesn't usually it follows that the company tries to make more cash by bolting down locking their product to make more. You want sucess but not to much.

With Android's success it opens up the window for more companies to succeed and really that is what is the happy medium. Unfortunately right now the only clear winner in Android is Samsung. HTC and other phone manufactures have caught on and are starting to focus on quality products and aggressive prices. Hopefully their efforts will pay off.

[David Munch]

While Samsung is king of Android at the moment, HTC had that place just a few years ago, in the early start of the Android dominance, so it really shows how the field can shift quickly.

What top model do they have currently? (I don't follow the Android market)

Originally Posted by =X=

Let me ask you this, as a consumer how to you win if a company your loyal to is making festoons of cash? One doesn't usually it follows that the company tries to make more cash by bolting down locking their product to make more. You want sucess but not to much.

By always picking the one model that suits you best, regardless of brand. The problem these days, is that you are quite often tied into whatever brands ecosystem (Apps, DRM music, etc.) which is very often a big decisive factor. As it is now, Android apps are still way too fractionated (ie. not working on all models), and thus don't speak for the platform but the single brand.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by David Munch

Android apps are still way too fractionated (ie. not working on all models), and thus don't speak for the platform but the single brand.

That seems to be the current Apple centric propaganda spiel, but as the owner of multiple Android devices from simple cheap devices to a more recent Asus Transformer that seems to be all it is. Propaganda.
The Apple propaganda may be somewhat true with respect to games, but I don't know of any specific instances. It certainly does not seem to be true as regards to multimedia or productivity apps, as long as the Android device is running Android 2 or better. Prior to that, Android was not really a prime time player in any regard anyway IMHO.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by David Munch

While Samsung is king of Android at the moment, HTC had that place just a few years ago, in the early start of the Android dominance, so it really shows how the field can shift quickly.

What top model do they have currently? (I don't follow the Android market)

HTC had a series of blunders last year. They pumped many different phones out with no real quality and also had the CarrierIQ fiasco.

Look how fast Nokia and RIMM have fallen from dominance. It's the Smartphone market that is moving fast and any manufacture that is not on top of their game is going to lose.

Originally Posted by David Munch

By always picking the one model that suits you best, regardless of brand. The problem these days, is that you are quite often tied into whatever brands ecosystem (Apps, DRM music, etc.) which is very often a big decisive factor. As it is now, Android apps are still way too fractionated (ie. not working on all models), and thus don't speak for the platform but the single brand.

Yes that is true on Android* but that is true on every other platform. Look at WP7/WP8, my son is complains that there are many apps he cannot download from the Apple appstore. When I was using BB that was also the issue.


* Especially for the low end Android devices.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Dave_S

That seems to be the current Apple centric propaganda spiel, but as the owner of multiple Android devices from simple cheap devices to a more recent Asus Transformer that seems to be all it is. Propaganda.

This is very true for some reason one of the greatest advantages Android has always seems to get swept under the rug. I have free apps(Evernote, Netflix, etc..) and even purchased apps like RegliGo. I can use that same app across multiple devices like my phone, tablet, and Google TV and they work great. I don't have to purchase multiple copies one app works for all devices.

=X=