According to the latest numbers from research firm IDC, Android smartphone shipments grew a staggering 73.5% between the second quarter of 2012 and Q2 2013. This remarkable growth has propelled Android to the top spot in the global smartphone market, with 187.4 million Android-powered phones shipped in the most recent quarter.
Android Dominates Global Smartphone Market
The statistics are clear: Android represents a massive 79.3% of all smartphones shipped during Q2 2013. The next closest competitor, iOS, trails far behind with just 31.2 million units sold, accounting for only 13.2% of the global market share.
Apple’s iPhone Still Leads the Pack
Despite Android’s dominance, Apple’s mobile OS still managed to grow its device shipments by 20% year over year, shipping a respectable 31.2 million iPhones in Q2 2013. However, it’s worth noting that this growth is significantly slower than Android’s.
Windows Phone Sees Modest Growth
Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform saw some modest growth in Q2 2013, with shipments increasing by 77.6% year over year. While this growth is encouraging, the platform still lags far behind Android and iOS in terms of market share, with just 8.7 million handsets shipped.
BlackBerry Hits New Low
Unfortunately for BlackBerry, Q2 2013 marked a new low for the Canadian smartphone pioneer. The company’s shipments dropped by 11.7% compared to the same time last year, and its overall market share shrunk from 4.9% to just 2.9%.
What’s Behind Android’s Success?
So what’s behind Android’s remarkable growth? According to IDC, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was a strong driver of sales, but other manufacturers like LG, Huawei, Lenovo, and ZTE also had successful quarters with shipments in the double digits.
Affordable Smartphones Drive Growth
One key factor contributing to Android’s success is its ability to offer affordable smartphones that cater to emerging markets. As these regions shift from feature phones to smartphones on limited budgets, Android’s availability and price point make it an attractive option for consumers.
Nokia Drives Windows Phone Growth
It’s worth noting that Nokia’s efforts have been instrumental in driving growth for Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform. The Finnish manufacturer accounted for 81.6% of all Windows Phone shipments during Q2 2013, making it the leading contributor to this growth.
The Future of Android and iOS
As we look ahead to the future, one thing is clear: Android will continue to be a major player in the global smartphone market. However, Apple’s rumored low-cost iPhone device could potentially disrupt the market and challenge Android’s dominance.
Key Takeaways
- Android smartphone shipments grew by 73.5% between Q2 2012 and Q2 2013.
- Android represents a massive 79.3% of all smartphones shipped in Q2 2013.
- iOS trails behind with just 13.2% market share, despite shipping 31.2 million units.
- Windows Phone saw modest growth, but still lags far behind Android and iOS.
- BlackBerry hit a new low for the company, with shipments dropping by 11.7%.
