Apple Still Holding Second Place Among Global Smartphone Manufacturers

[Popeye206]

Just add this to the obit for The Death of Apples Control of the Mobile Space.

They have literally given the space to Google / Android.

Sure, its all big profits now..... but there are tough times ahead.

???? What????

What are you talking about? They're number 2 in overall units sold... selling as fast as they can make them!

Yes, Android is doing well, but it's a huge market and it would be a sad, sad, sad day if Apple or Google controlled the majority of the cell phone OS market.

Sure, Apple has lost some sales to Android phones, but the real loosers here are Nokia, Microsoft and RIM... They are the ones loosing market share to Apple and Google.

Sometimes you say some things that make sense, and then you spout things like this that make no sense and you sound like you just want to see Apple do bad. How dumb.

 

[kas23]

This is meaningless and literally compares one Apple to multiple Oranges.

Apple does this with a single phone.

Nokia requires multiple "smart" phones and multiple operating systems to maintain its lead.

It doesn't matter that Apple only sells one phone. For arguments sake, let's suppose on the planet Earth Apple sold 10 different kinds of iPhones, would they really have sold more iPhones? Not likely.

The reason why many different phones could be advantageous is if the phone line presented many different price points (so everyone could potentially buy one). However, the iPhone does have an excellent price range. One can actually buy an iPhone for $49. So, clearly price isn't a reason are not buying an iPhone. Could it be features? What would these feature be found on the many other "potential" iPhone models that would drive more sales? I really can't see how Apple would be able to produce 10 different iPhone models that would differ from each other feature-wise. So, how could 10 different iPhone models lead to any more sales?

 

[NebulaClash]

Just add this to the obit for The Death of Apples Control of the Mobile Space.

They have literally given the space to Google / Android.

Sure, its all big profits now..... but there are tough times ahead.

You love to chime in with this thought over and over again. But I'm highlighting it because I want everyone to see what you said when it is proven so very, very wrong.

The Android market is made up of HUNDREDS of different phones and manufacturers, many of which are Android in name only. Asian knock-offs use Android, but don't give them access to the Android marketplace, for instance. So yeah, Apple is doing extremely well when you realize they have to lump in hundreds of different slices of the pie to beat Apple's one piece.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

It doesn't matter that Apple only sells one phone. For arguments sake, let's suppose on the planet Earth Apple sold 10 different kinds of iPhones, would they really have sold more iPhones? Not likely.

The reason why many different phones could be advantageous is if the phone line presented many different price points (so everyone could potentially buy one). However, the iPhone does have an excellent price range. One can actually buy an iPhone for $49. So, clearly price isn't a reason are not buying an iPhone. Could it be features? What would these feature be found on the many other "potential" iPhone models that would drive more sales? I really can't see how Apple would be able to produce 10 different iPhone models that would differ from each other feature-wise. So, how could 10 different iPhone models lead to any more sales?

Ah some one understands but one minor mistake. If apple sold 10 different phones it is safe to assume the total sales would increase but not by very much. It would mostly be the same number of buys but not spread across 10 phones instead of the current 3.

This is why Android vs iOS vs Rim..... People are starting to choose the OS they want. Android just has more flavors so those number of people going into Android phones are going to split more and they people who like Android phones do not have to compromise as much in getting exactly what they want in terms of hardware for their chosen OS. Case and point of people on iOS compromising is go look at how many threads we have of people wanting a 4in screen or people wanting an LED notification light and so on.

 

[kdarling]

Apple does this with a single phone.

Nokia requires multiple "smart" phones and multiple operating systems to maintain its lead.

Just imagine if Apple also had a wider choice of phones to meet more people's needs.

 

[Popeye206]

Just imagine if Apple also had a wider choice of phones to meet more people's needs.

I hope they don't. I like the model that's there now. As long as Apple is selling iPhones as fast as they can make them, I don't think they have much to worry about.

One of the things about an Android based phone.... yes, some people will seek them out, but I think the majority buy them because it's what they are sold when they visit the cell phone store. Whereas, I think for the iPhone it's different... customers who buy an iPhone seek it out.

I know the two people I know that have an Android phone did not buy them because of Android. They bought them because it was the choices they had.

BTW... I think the smart phone market is big enough there will always be multiple OS players and given that everyone gets a chance to change every two years or so, the numbers will always be in flux.

 

[franswa za]

Just imagine if Apple also had a wider choice of phones to meet more people's needs.

never going to happen............. monogamist

sj

 

[0815]

iPhone 5 or iPhone 6 will put them at #1.... Just a matter of time

It does not matter if the are #1, #2, #3, or whatever spot. It also does not matter how much market share they have or how many phones they have on how many carriers.

What matters for a cooperation is: how much money do they make. And I think they do a pretty good job there. That way they can keep spending money on innovations and new gadgets that I love to buy. I don't want them to waste money on variations of the same thing.

 

[Benjamins]

This is why Android vs iOS vs Rim..... People are starting to choose the OS they want. Android just has more flavors so those number of people going into Android phones are going to split more and they people who like Android phones do not have to compromise as much in getting exactly what they want in terms of hardware for their chosen OS. Case and point of people on iOS compromising is go look at how many threads we have of people wanting a 4in screen or people wanting an LED notification light and so on.

Some people are choosing Android, but most of them are really choosing brands like Samsung, Sony etc. If Samsung or Sony makes an iOS phone, Samsung fans will happily buy those also.

Also if Apple flood the market with iPhone in different size, different styling, different config (e.g. with keyboard) I am sure more people will buy those too. But that's not how Apple works.

 

[Popeye206]

It does not matter if the are #1, #2, #3, or whatever spot. It also does not matter how much market share they have or how many phones they have on how many carriers.

What matters for a cooperation is: how much money do they make. And I think they do a pretty good job there. That way they can keep spending money on innovations and new gadgets that I love to buy. I don't want them to waste money on variations of the same thing.

Agreed... as long as they keep the quality up and the innovations coming... I'm in... I won't be switching.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Some people are choosing Android, but most of them are really choosing brands like Samsung, Sony etc. If Samsung or Sony makes an iOS phone, Samsung fans will happily buy those also.

Also if Apple flood the market with iPhone in different size, different styling, different config (e.g. with keyboard) I am sure more people will buy those too. But that's not how Apple works.

Most people I know are choosing Android flavor they like the best but still choosing Android hell minus Apple/Rim fans very few people I know have ANY brand loyalty. Apple fanboys being the worse because many of the Apple fans I know will not buy something unless it has that little white apple label on it.

 

[Benjamins]

Most people I know are choosing Android flavor they like the best but still choosing Android hell minus Apple/Rim fans very few people I know have ANY brand loyalty. Apple fanboys being the worse because many of the Apple fans I know will not buy something unless it has that little white apple label on it.

I don't doubt for a second that people you know choose Android devices because it's and Android device.

I am just telling you that's not how most people buy things. Most people don't even know what Android is, but they know what Samsung, Sony, Motorola are. Oh also having BOGO promo and fire sale every other weeks helps too.

 

[sciwizam]

HTC's profit share has barely budged as there market share doubled! We will sell twice as many at half as much.

I don't think they are worried that much.

 

[inkswamp]

Just add this to the obit for The Death of Apples Control of the Mobile Space.

They have literally given the space to Google / Android.

Sure, its all big profits now..... but there are tough times ahead.

Not sure if you're trolling for reactions or not, but I'm going to assume you're serious.

It's inevitable that Android will overtake (if it hasn't already) the iPhone in terms of unit sales because the wider variety of hardware, lower prices and buy-one-get-one-free offers hit more at the lowest common denominator. That's not to be insulting to Android owners. It doesn't say anything bad about people who intentionally choose Android. It's just a fact we're seeing emerge as the smart phone market evolves.

But the reality of the matter is that a platform must do two things to remain a long-term success: 1) retain its user base; 2) make a profit.

As for the first point, we've seen numerous consumer surveys over the last 6 months that have shown that about a 1/3 of Android users are dissatisfied with the platform and somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% of its users are planning to switch to the iPhone. By contrast, those same surveys show roughly 5-7% of iPhone users planning to switch to Android. (And those surveys were conducted prior to the Verizon iPhone so who knows how that will shake things up, but I'm guessing it won't be in favor of Android.)

As for the second point, I'm still not clear on how companies in the Android sphere are turning a consistent profit off the platform. Even the big players like Verizon have hinted that they're not too thrilled Android's performance (and as I've said before, if Android were really killing on Verizon, why would they have pursued the iPhone so enthusiastically?) I know Google is making money (presumably) but the hardware makers and the telecoms? We know developers are having a harder time making a profit on Android than on iOS. I just don't see where the money is in Android.

I don't think they are worried that much.

Two problems with that.

Gross profit is not net profit. How much is HTC actually making off each unit sold?

It's also a great examples of a post-hoc fallacy. You assume one thing is the result of the other. Do you have evidence that HTC's increase in gross profits is because of the Nexus One (a phone that had notoriously poor sales) or any Anroid phone for that matter? Seems unlikely such a spike would be the result of any one single product.

 

[steveklein]

significant error in chart

Apple's share… came in on par with the same 16.1% share the company held in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Hmm, the text says 16.1% in Q4 of 2009, but the chart clearly shows 2.6%. Take a look:


Of course, we can see that the chart is wrong because the numbers don't add up to 100%. But if we change the 2.6% to 16.1%, then it does add up to 100%.

 

[Full of Win]

???? What????

What are you talking about? They're number 2 in overall units sold... selling as fast as they can make them!

Yes, Android is doing well, but it's a huge market and it would be a sad, sad, sad day if Apple or Google controlled the majority of the cell phone OS market.

Sure, Apple has lost some sales to Android phones, but the real loosers here are Nokia, Microsoft and RIM... They are the ones loosing market share to Apple and Google.

Sometimes you say some things that make sense, and then you spout things like this that make no sense and you sound like you just want to see Apple do bad. How dumb.

In life, momentum is very important. Look at the percentage gain for the competition, its 300%+. Apple has only gained 87%. Sure, Apple has some momentum, but their competition is steamrolling over them.


Today, Apple / iOS is the default standard for everything. However, the more users that Android has, the less important iOS will become. Then we will start to see "The Great iOS Exodus". Developers will favor Android for first -run apps, the ecosystem will become the de facto standard. This will cause many iOS users to move to Android to get the better apps. This process will be self-feeding, the more users leave, the less devs will develop for iOS.

Just remember where you read about The Great iOS Exodus. Its coming....sooner than many think

 

[sciwizam]

Two problems with that.

Gross profit is not net profit. How much is HTC actually making off each unit sold?

It's also a great examples of a post-hoc fallacy. You assume one thing is the result of the other. Do you have evidence that HTC's increase in gross profits is because of the Nexus One (a phone that had notoriously poor sales) or any Anroid phone for that matter? Seems unlikely such a spike would be the result of any one single product.

Not my words.

I didn't equate HTC's profit rise to Nexus One.The Nexus One reference in the graph is to signify HTC's embrace of Android platform, not just the 1 phone.

 

[Westacular]

Consequently, Apple's 86.2% year-over-year growth essentially mirrored the smartphone industry's overall growth rate of 87.2%, with major players Nokia and Research in Motion checking in at only 36% growth while Android-focused manufacturers such as Samsung (438.9%) and HTC (258.3%) saw tremendous growth in market share, but not enough to overtake the three leaders.

The phrase on Android manufacturers incorrectly implies the quoted percentages relate to market share: they don't; they're the growth in the number of units shipped. VERY DIFFERENT.

 

[PlipPlop]

Ive had HTC phones for the past 6 years, good to see them doing well. They make quality products.

 

[Vulpinemac]

Ah some one understands but one minor mistake. If apple sold 10 different phones it is safe to assume the total sales would increase but not by very much. It would mostly be the same number of buys but not spread across 10 phones instead of the current 3.

This is why Android vs iOS vs Rim..... People are starting to choose the OS they want. Android just has more flavors so those number of people going into Android phones are going to split more and they people who like Android phones do not have to compromise as much in getting exactly what they want in terms of hardware for their chosen OS. Case and point of people on iOS compromising is go look at how many threads we have of people wanting a 4in screen or people wanting an LED notification light and so on.

Android has one advantage only; at least in the US. Twofers. Buy one, get one free. Buy one, get one half-off. Buy one of these and get any second phone half off (with exceptions). Even in AT&T you'll see this kind of advertising for the Android phones--but never for an iPhone. Unlike the Androids, the iPhone tends to hold its market value for the entire year after its release, then sells at 1/4th of that for a second year. Rarely, now, do you hear of any Android phone holding it's introductory price more than about three months and even less often for as long as six months.

If you look at international sales only, Android and iOS are roughly on par with each other; about 33% each, plus or minus a couple percentile points. Only in the US has Android had the advantage of pretty much unlimited sales opportunities through dozens of models from about 6 different manufacturers while the iPhone has sold at essentially two price points over one network provider. Already we've seen how, despite the best estimates by both Apple and Verizon, the companies have sold out of their pre-order stock far, far sooner than predicted, just as the iPad did last March and the iPhones have with AT&T for the last three years.

What does this mean for the future? It's my guess that Android as a platform will eventually take about 45% of the overall market, Apple's iOS about 40% and the rest battling over the remaining 15%. I could see maybe as much as 5% variance on any one of these, taken up by the other two.

 

[ladeer]

This is meaningless and literally compares one Apple to multiple Oranges.

Apple does this with a single phone.

Nokia requires multiple "smart" phones and multiple operating systems to maintain its lead.

exactly. what models of nokia phone does this survey qualify as smartphone? now days all phones can browse internet i think u really need exchange integration and app market place with strong dev base to qualify

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I don't doubt for a second that people you know choose Android devices because it's and Android device.

I am just telling you that's not how most people buy things. Most people don't even know what Android is, but they know what Samsung, Sony, Motorola are. Oh also having BOGO promo and fire sale every other weeks helps too.

I would agree with you on dumb phones that holding true but when you move to smart phones people tend to know which OS they want and move around from there.

That has been my observation. You have iOS/iPhone. Android/Droid for the Android phones, Blackberry (all blackberry OS). Palm (for WebOS) and now WP7 phone.

The only ones that carry a phone name are ones that only one brand sells a given OS.

 

[a.gomez]

Two problems with that.

Gross profit is not net profit. How much is HTC actually making off each unit sold?

It's also a great examples of a post-hoc fallacy. You assume one thing is the result of the other. Do you have evidence that HTC's increase in gross profits is because of the Nexus One (a phone that had notoriously poor sales) or any Anroid phone for that matter? Seems unlikely such a spike would be the result of any one single product.

Their Net profit was up 75% from NT22.6bn to NT39.5bn for the year

It is not an assumption - they pointed out to the EVO and Incredible (in the US) Wildfire and Desire (in EU and Asia) as their revenue drivers (all Android handsets) during their JAN 21st financial conference call.

I have good friends in Japan who are invested in the company so they talk about them a lot - Android has been good for the company.

 

[ghostlyorb]

This is worldwide share, Verizon will help but it won't be stunning.

It's gonna make it several more million per quarter.. without a doubt.

 

[Benjamins]

I would agree with you on dumb phones that holding true but when you move to smart phones people tend to know which OS they want and move around from there.

That has been my observation. You have iOS/iPhone. Android/Droid for the Android phones, Blackberry (all blackberry OS). Palm (for WebOS) and now WP7 phone.

The only ones that carry a phone name are ones that only one brand sells a given OS.

no they don't. I know people who bought a pre-android Xperia, and wondered why android's so crappy (actually more like Google's so crappy).

And to regular people (not those who go to gadget blogs) all those Android handsets are Samsung iPhone, Sony iPhone etc....