Android Smartphone Sales Exceed iPhone in the U.S. for First Time

[MacRumors]

The NPD Group published results from the first quarter of 2010 which reveals that Android-based smartphones outsold the iPhone for the first time in the U.S. According to their data, Android-based phones accounted for 28% of smartphone sales while the iPhone accounted for 21%. Meanwhile, RIM remains the market leader at 36%.

NPD attributes the growth to strong promotion as well as broader carrier coverage for Android devices.

"As in the past, carrier distribution and promotion have played a crucial role in determining smartphone market share," said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. "In order to compete with the iPhone, Verizon Wireless has expanded its buy-one-get-one offer beyond RIM devices to now include all of their smartphones."

The iPhone is currently sold only by AT&T. While AT&T does make up 32% of the smartphone market, they are the only provider that offers the iPhone at this time. Verizon (30%), T-Mobile (17%) and Sprint (15%) make up the bulk of the rest of the market. The numbers may also reflect the late lifecycle of the iPhone 3GS compared to the newer android devices. Apple is also widely expected to revise the iPhone in the next month.

Apple has also been rumored to be expanding iPhone distribution beyond AT&T, though the exact timeframe remains up for debate.

Article Link: Android Smartphone Sales Exceed iPhone in the U.S. for First Time

 

[flooce]

Open Source wins here.

If now only the producers would get their act together with updating their Android Versions on their smartphones. I have to say I like Mac OS, but with the tight control over the app-store Apple does not do itself a favor. I think (and fear maybe?) that Apple will suffer once more from its closed policy, same as with the personal computer. They do it best, but they do it the Apple way, which means they value control over the user experience higher then the freedom of choice what to run on their products. And with the ipod/phone/pad OS X being in focus somehow Mac OS is a bit neglected. There are still bugs in Snow Leopard, more then I would want to see.

Maybe Apple would be better off without the strong signature style of Steve Jobs, he should maybe slowly play a less important role, consult on strategy and technology, but I think a lot of this "closed Apple experience" is due to his personal ideology.

 

[bigcat318]

I wouldn't be buying an iPhone either. Not with a new model anticipated so soon.

 

[jamesnajera]

I wonder if free Android phones count toward these numbers? By my house Verizon is giving away free Moto Droids with contract, no buy one get one free, just sign up.

 

[mj1108]

Happy to see a win for open source.

 

[eMagine]

I love the competition. go Android. go iPhone. We both win.

 

[griz]

Add Verizon and T-mobile. Instantly available to 47% greater market.
T-Mobile at least. Since it wouldn't require a radio change.

 

[martynmc7]

Is this much of a surprise? Apple essentially only have one device to sell, whereas the number of Android handsets is growing almost exponentially. Android will be the go-to OS of choice for a large portion of smartphone manufacturers, making it almost the Windows of the mobile world.

 

[rwilliams]

Well this article should rile up the natives.

This could be looked at in a few ways. One, iPhone sales are down since people are anticipating a new summer release. Or, Android could actually be more popular right now. Or, the Android platform being on multiple carriers, coupled with HTC's wonderful hardware, helps drive sales, whereas the iPhone is only available on one much maligned network that people are complaining about daily.

I set up a couple of Droid Incredibles for people here at work last week. Damn that thing was gorgeous. While Android still has too much of the unpolished "Linux feel" for my liking, that thing lived up to its name. I kept the phones for a little longer than necessary just to play with the OS a little and test it out. Apple has their hands full with this OS. And that's good for everyone.

 

[Gazoobee]

The NPD Group published results from the first quarter of 2010 which reveals that Android-based smartphones outsold the iPhone for the first time in the U.S. According to their data, Android-based phones accounted for 28% of smartphone sales while the iPhone accounted for 21%. Meanwhile, RIM remains the market leader at 36%.

...

It's kind of shameful that this article doesn't even *mention* that this data is a result of an online SURVEY.

A survey is not a good way to judge sales of any kind. People, uh ... lie, on surveys. A lot.

 

[cowcaster88]

With Android you have more choices since Android is an OS not tied to one make/model of phone, this story is fairly obvious it would happen. Wonder if Apple is going to consider releasing new models more often to keep the buzz up or do more updates more often?

 

[bigcat318]

It's almost in our (iPhone fans) favor that it isn't the best seller. It will only lead to Apple producing better phones. You know, the good aspect of competition.

 

[awmazz]

Happy to see a win for open source.

Open source, as in the phone itself is free? It might be market share, but is it really 'sales' as per the headline of this thread when they are giving them away two for one?

 

[BrettJDeriso]

What can we say? I guess there are a lot more sadomasochists out there than we thought.

"Does your phone run like luke warm dog droppings? Does it crash at the slightest provocation? Does it run a hangar full of apps all approved with nearly non-existent quality control? Droid Does."

It can't ALL be because of AT&T... can it??

 

[SPNarwhal]

i doubt apple would release multiple models, aside the differences in memory.
keeps things simpler that way.

i see android being on multiple carriers while the iphone is restricted to one being the only big argument here.
if someone really wanted an iphone compared to an android phone, they would just get the iphone.
it's not as if it's that expensive.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Bam!

Ratchet up, Apple!


The iphone needs a laser cannon.

 

[MadGoat]

Of course the android will outsell the iPhone, but can you show me one single model of an android based phone that comes even close to selling as many units as the iPhone?

it's like saying GM(who has hundreds of models) sells more than BMW(with only a handfull of models)

 

[PandaOnslaught]

but this is totally expected. there are tons of android based phones but one iphone...

 

[ThunderSkunk]

it's like saying GM(who has hundreds of models) sells more than BMW(with only a handfull of models)

More to the point, it's like saying all cars made by GM outsell the Lotus Elise.

 

[cumanzor]

Well this article should rile up the natives.

This could be looked at in a few ways. One, iPhone sales are down since people are anticipating a new summer release. Or, Android could actually be more popular right now. Or, the Android platform being on multiple carriers, coupled with HTC's wonderful hardware, helps drive sales, whereas the iPhone is only available on one much maligned network that people are complaining about daily.

Most likely everything you just said.

Heeeyy, even a couple of iPhones are running Android as well

 

[PhoneI]

As someone that carries both an iPhone and an Android device (I do mobile support for my company), the user experience is not even close. The iPhone OS is so much better (even with all its current issues).

I don't think Apple really cares which one sells more as long as the iPhone is still incredibly profitable. If they did, they would release it on every carrier.

 

[muskratboy]

um, yeah... i'm guessing the fact that the new iphone is coming out in 2 months is a MAJOR FACTOR in buying decisions... don't you, mr. super genius analysts?

more androids selling means more mature platform, which is excellent...

but come back with the sales numbers after june, and we'll talk...

 

[alexk82]

that engineer

I wouldn't be buying an iPhone either. Not with a new model anticipated so soon.

that apple engineer sure screwed up.

 

[GroundLoop]

I wonder... How many Android phones are on AT&T's network? Just wondering that, if given the choice between the iPhone and an Android phone, how would the percentages fall?

Hickman

edit: I don't have either...I have a BB...

 

[allpar]

it's like saying GM(who has hundreds of models) sells more than BMW(with only a handfull of models)

Um.... GM does sell more than BMW. What's more, Chevrolet sells more than BMW. So?

You could argue it the other way, in many past years F-150 was proclaimed sales leader but Silverado+Sierra sold better (identical twins) - so who's really the winner? If black iPods and white iPods are judged different models, do you separate them out?

I think what you're getting at is that the picture is different if you look at hardware sales rather than operating system sales. That's true but where do you stop? At smartphones vs regular phones? In the $100+ range?

The core data is suspect anyway. That said, I think Apple's been creating PR disasters with its clearly arbitrary handling of the App Store and what's in vs what's out. They've been arrogant, high-handed, and apparently acting on whim - not counting the latest Flash debacle - every time I read a story about "app rejected until major news media report it" I cringe because that's more developers and customers lost.