Android is leading smartphone OS: Nielsen

By Chantal Tode

July 29, 2011

Smartphones using Android lead the market

Android is the top operating system for the United States smartphone market, according to new data from Nielsen.

The June data shows that Google’s Android operating system now claims the largest share of the U.S. consumer smartphone market with 39 percent. Apple’s iOS is in second place with a 28 percent share of the market.

“If you are trying to reach smartphone consumers, you’ll reach more of them via Android,” said Don Kellogg, senior manager of Telecom Research at Nielsen, New York.

“However, it is important to bear in mind that today’s news is just about smartphones,” he said. “iOS is a more popular platform for tablets – at least for now, and the iPod touch is still going strong.”

Pricing plays a role
Research In Motion’s share is down to 20 percent.

Windows Phone 7 has a 9 percent share, while HP WebOS and Symbian each have a 2 percent share.
Android’s lead in the smartphone market is being driven, in part, by the fact that the phones are often priced lower than iPhones are being supported multiple companies.

“Android phones are being promoted by multiple device manufacturers and carriers in the U.S.,” Mr. Kellogg said. “That makes a difference – remember, up until recently you could only get an iPhone via AT&T.

“Android phones also tend to be more affordable,” he said.

Apple, as the only company manufacturing iOS smartphones, is the leading smartphone manufacturer in the U.S.

HTC has a 14 percent share of the Android smartphone market and a 6 percent share of the Windows Phone 7 market. Motorola’s Android devices are owned by 11 percent of smartphone users while Samsung has an 8 percent share of the Android smartphone market and a 2 percent share among Windows Phone 7 users.

“HTC is a player to watch,” Mr. Kellogg said. “They’ve shown tremendous growth.

“But Apple will likely hold on to its lead for a while given how fragmented the rest of the market is,” he said.

With 55 percent of those who purchased a new mobile phone in the past three months choosing a smartphone, Nielsen is anticipating tremendous growth in smartphone penetration.

“This trend could accelerate during the fourth quarter if folks decide to treat themselves or others to a new mobile phone,” Mr. Kellogg said. And, the new iPhone launch could have a big impact: There are lots of consumers out there just waiting for the next iPhone to come out.”

Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Marketer