Apple’s iOS Leads, But Android OS Coming On Strong
January 3, 2011
Despite being sold through only one carrier (and only on the iPhone), Apple’s iOS continues to lead the U.S. smart phone market. However, Apple’s reign at the top could be ending soon. This is our assessment after reviewing The Nielsen Company’s latest smart phone report.
Apple’s iOS took 28.6 percent of the overall smart phone market in November 2010, up from 27.9 percent in October. BlackBerry OS is second, with 26.1 percent (down from 27.4 percent). Android OS is third with 25.8 percent of the market. This number is up from 22.7 percent in October and just 15 percent in June.
This isn’t a simple horse race, mind you, because Apple and Google are not after the same things. Google needs to be a big seller for its advertising model to pay off, while Apple is still raking in handsome profits from its hardware, and will continue to do so even after Android eventually overtakes it. Apple has also managed to hold on to the top spot despite selling through only one carrier in the U.S. With an expected Verizon version, the iPhone will be more widely available, which should give us a better picture of how popular the phone is against the competition.The Nielsen Company's report relies on survey results and not actual sales numbers. While holiday numbers might delay the inevitable, Google's Android OS will almost certainly overtake Apple's iOS in terms of market share soon. However, it is clear that the Cupertino, California-based company won't be shedding any tears. Apple owns the hardware which runs iOS; Google does not own the hardware that Android runs on.
