Apple Hits Record U.S. Smartphone Market Share While Android Expands in Europe
New data reveals Apple’s strongest-ever performance in the U.S. smartphone market, even as Android solidifies its dominance across Europe and emerging economies. Here’s a breakdown of the latest trends shaping the global mobile landscape.
Apple’s U.S. Dominance Reaches New Heights
According to Kantar Worldpanel Comtech’s 12-week sales data (ending November 25, 2012), Apple captured 53.3% of U.S. smartphone sales—a significant jump from 48.1% the previous month. This surge was largely driven by the iPhone 5, which debuted in September 2012.
Key U.S. market insights:
- Android’s share dropped to 41.9%, down nearly 10 percentage points year-over-year.
- RIM (BlackBerry) fell to fourth place with a 6% decline, surpassed by Windows Phone at 7%.
Android’s Stronghold in Europe and Beyond
While Apple thrived in the U.S., Android claimed 61% of smartphone sales across Europe’s top five markets (UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain). Samsung led the charge, with its Galaxy devices accounting for 44% of all European smartphone sales—outpacing Apple’s 25% share.
Globally, Android also dominated:
- China: 72.2% market share
- Brazil: 60.7% market share
Windows Phone Gains Traction
Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform showed modest growth, overtaking RIM as the third-most-popular OS in the U.S. (7% share). In the UK, analysts predict it could surpass RIM soon, as BlackBerry sales plummeted by over 10% year-over-year.
Nokia’s Lumia series played a key role in this growth, particularly through budget-friendly prepaid deals. However, the brand faces challenges attracting younger buyers—only 28% of Lumia 800 sales came from users under 35, despite this demographic representing 42% of total smartphone purchases.
The Road Ahead
- Apple’s premium strategy may limit growth in price-sensitive markets like Europe.
- Android’s diversity continues to drive global adoption, especially in emerging economies.
- Windows Phone’s future hinges on competitive pricing and appealing to younger consumers.
Image Credit: Flickr
As the holiday shopping season peaked, these trends highlighted the contrasting fortunes of tech giants in an increasingly competitive smartphone arena.
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