Gartner: Android Tops iOS in 3Q 2010 Global Smartphone Market Share

[dgree03]

A couple of points...

The reason you may not be able to visually see an android out in the wild is because there is not "specific" look for an android device. Also the isnt any bit APPLE design on the back to tell the world I have an Iphone. They are out there in the wild, the numbers say it all.

Furthermore, there is not point in mentioning that android have 82+ devices in the wild. Android is ONE operating system, just like ios, just like BB. I dont care is there are 1000 android devices in the wild, people still need to make a choice. Now it does matter the there is an android presences on all 4 MAJOR US carriers, but people in here act like if the iphone was that popular people would just switch carriers, plenty of people have switched carriers. So I dont see that as a big excuse.

And lastly android, to anyone who uses it, has a lot more going for it than iOS. It is not disputable. I am not saying iOS isnt goood, its just android is better. Especially if you havent invested gobs of money in the iOS/Itunes ecosystem.

 

[reactions]

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Many of the people I know that had an iPhone now have Android devices. Back in the day, everyone would sing the praises of the iPhone. Now, its more an object of ridicule. I kind of fell silly for still using one and kind of hide it when in public. Guess it all depends.

My iPhone 3GS still draws attention wherever I go. Usually the question is, "is that an iPhone 4?" Once they find out it isn't they still ask questions and gush over my 3GS.

That's fanboy talk.

Look iPhones are superior in some ways but not in all ways to android phones

I'd like a better notification system and global voice search

most people who switch to android find it "good enough"

Soon enough it will catch up 2

u have to be impressed by google to just explode like this. Aren't you?

 

[Fanboyofnothing]

I'd rather take quality over quantity. This isn't to say that every single Android powered device is crap, but I just prefer the quality of an iPhone.

This is totally expected.

I have an iPhone 4, and have yet to find an Android phone on which I could throttle all internet access and phone calls with by simply placing my finger on the wrong spot of the phone.

 

[samcraig]

Especially if you havent invested gobs of money in the iOS/Itunes ecosystem.

This is key I believe. For example - I love my iPhone 4. But I would have considered an Android device (I have several co-workers with them) and have enjoyed playing with them. The biggest "stumbling block" on why I wouldn't get one has been my investment in Apps which I share between my iPhone and iPad. And based on comments from other people I know and have read - they have similar situations.

That's not to say Android is better or that iOS is better. It's a comment on investments.

 

[tbrinkma]

Funny how when Apple leads, all the comments point out that it's because they make a superior product and then when they trail, people point out it's because they make a superior product in limited quantities/models.

Apple is a company guys, not some kind of god. You don't need to constantly praise them and apologize for them.

That's not a praise/apologize issue. It's entirely valid. If a single company's single product (or small line) is selling better than the corresponding products from an entire segment of the industry, it's something impressive. It's not nearly as impressive when the comparison goes the other way.

For example:
A) Company A's wintergreen gum sales are greater than the wintergreen gum sales of all of its competitors combined.
B) All of Company A's competitors' wintergreen gum sales, combined, are greater than Company A's wintergreen gum sales.

A is an impressive and unusual statistic. It takes something unusual to grab that much market share.
B is par for the course. It's *normal* for a group of products from a group of companies to sell better than *one* company's product.

Really, the rate at which Android has grabbed market share is only impressive when looked at through the lens of desktop OS market share, which has been constrained by an abusive monopoly for better than 2 decades.

The iPhone's appearance was impressive because it turned customer expectations of what the industry could provide them on its head, *and* it came from an outsider. Personally, I *expect* Nokia/Motorola/HTC/etc. to be able to produce a solid phone. It's what they do. (And after they recovered from having the iPhone's appearance knock them on their collective asses for a moment, they started doing it again.)

 

[KnightWRX]

B is par for the course. It's *normal* for a group of products from a group of companies to sell better than *one* company's product.

What's not normal is the amount of people who feel the need to point out this "normality" as if Apple somehow was being attacked here.

 

[dgree03]

This is key I believe. For example - I love my iPhone 4. But I would have considered an Android device (I have several co-workers with them) and have enjoyed playing with them. The biggest "stumbling block" on why I wouldn't get one has been my investment in Apps which I share between my iPhone and iPad. And based on comments from other people I know and have read - they have similar situations.

That's not to say Android is better or that iOS is better. It's a comment on investments.

I beileve this is probaly one major reason why people are hesitant on leaving the "walled garden."

The beauty and appeal of android is, if I want a different look phone on a different network, but want to stay in android ecosystem I can, without losing any investment I made in apps.

For me I bought far more apps in android than when I had a 3gs. Why? Because I was hesitant to get stuck with only one choice! With android I can buy know that if the next best android comes out, I can hop on it if I please.

 

[dgree03]

What's not normal is the amount of people who feel the need to point out this "normality" as if Apple somehow was being attacked here.

Funny thing, I mentioned in another post.

iOS vs Android OS = 1:1, period. The handset makers and how many they make doesnt matter. A customer can only make one choice, to get one phone, apple or others.

Before android customers where able to pick between BB, Winmo, Symbian, apple. Apple still gain mass market share, because more people wanted it, regardless of there being 4 BB per carrier or 7 Winmo per carrier.

 

[maflynn]

The numbers are not surprising anyone except maybe apple fans. The responses are not surprising. Marginalizing the statistics with all sorts of excuses.

Yeah android is selling more then iPhone, to put it another way. Customers are choosing android over the iPhone. That's not to say the iPhone is bad, but rather android provides consumers with a choice. In the US, a choice of carrier, and phone type.

Choice is always going to win out, apple has enjoyed great profits and for two phones, its doing extremely well. Many people feel the need to defend the company or disregard the statistic.

Hopefully the competition from android and now microsoft will help spur apple on to greater innovation. It seems they've played it rather safe lately, and so this may help goose them along.

 

[jhende7]

What a lot of people here don't get is WHO CARES ABOUT APPLE'S PROFIT? Whenever these comparisons pop up, the immediate counterstrike to increased Android market share is "well, Apple makes more profit."

IT'S ABOUT DEVELOPERS! Do you honestly think developers will prefer Apple over Android when there will be double the number of Android customers available to buy your app? Do you think developers will stay exclusive to Apple's ecosystem when they can sell double or more the number of apps by developing for Android as well?

This is Windows all over again, make no mistake. Ultimately developers will go where the customers are, and that appears to be in Android's direction.

Short sighted much? Why go with Android when 80% of their users don't even download apps. My mom got an android phone because it was free. She doesn't even know what android is, or care - she just uses the phone to make phone calls.

I'd like to see a survey to see which brand is more ubiquitous, Android, or iPhone. I'm willing to bet that a healthy percentage of people that buy an Android phone don't even know it's "Android" they just thinks it's a samsung, LG, motorola etc.

And while were on the developer train, I'd like to point out that over 100 million people are now "invested" in the Apple app store - do you think developers are going to give up on that? Do you think all Developers are going to flock to an OS thats fragmented between 100s of devices, where the user base doesn't want to pay for anything?

Another thing I think is funny, is that a lot of people are misinterpreting these numbers as "their are more Android devices then iPhones" when all it simply states is that Android outsold iPhones in one fiscal quarter.

Lastly, I'd like to point out that Apple is making between 500 and 700 dollars on every iphone sold, while Google is making squat. Will be interesting to see if Google can make that money back with Ad revenue, without making the experience crap with Ads everywhere.

The only thing Apple has to worry about, is what to do with all their money.

 

[tbrinkma]

Uh ? You're assuming that people don't move to AT&T because of the iPhone and that offering the iPhone on every carrier wouldn't result in AT&T selling less iPhones.

Big assumptions right there.

That's not the assumption he was making at all. Currently, if you want to use an iPhone (in the US), you've got to go with AT&T, or jail break it and get Edge speeds on TMobile. So, the people who are buying iPhones now either are fine with AT&T or are willing to put up with them in order to have the iPhone.

That same class of people, if faced with the opportunity to get an iPhone from their carrier of choice are still going to buy an iPhone. (After all, if they were willing to switch to a different carrier to get it they'd still get it if they didn't have to switch carriers.)

The next class of people are those who want an iPhone, but are unwilling to switch to AT&T, for whatever reason. These people aren't buying iPhones now. If it became available on their carrier they would. That's an increase in the customer pool right there.

Then there's the class of people who don't want an iPhone. They'll buy something else, regardless of the carrier(s) the iPhone is available on. Nothing changes there.

The original author's assumption is that the second class of people *exists*. Given the sheer number of people that have posted in these forums saying they'd buy an iPhone if only they didn't have to go to AT&T for it says he's right.

 

[zacman]

So even with the iPhone 4 which is Apple's best selling phone they still lose marketshare. Doesn't look good for Apple they're obviously growing much slower than competitors. Seem everyone who wants an iPhone now has one and people are only replacing their old iPhones while Android gets lots of new customers from other competitors.

 

[apple1990]

Therein lies the schtick, and the ultimate destiny of apple. I am an apple user and love their products but I do not see why they cannot branch out a bit just from a business perspective. Why not place their phone on all the us carriers and give android a run for their money. Why not make a few products that are more in the Impala range. You can still make quality but cut back on bells and whistles. Apple if they continue to stick to one carrier, and a poor one at that, will watch as the competition passes by. At the beginning of the iphone years there was no competition, apple stood alone, but now others are competing in the market and this will be similar to the 80s when apple slipped back into a niche product that only the few stuck with. Consumers in tough ecenomic times like to have an option for a honda, and not just a bmw. Think of how many sales a 699 or 799 macbook would generate, and still retain excellent support and quality, but reach the massive demographic who are not in the bmw sphere?

The other problem is apple slowly displacing its core mac users by foisting ios onto the macintosh. Many pro apple users are alarmed and fear the freedoms they enjoy on the imac and mbp will soon be just another ios device with locks and gates all around it. Apple really needs to make wise decisions here and drop the pride. Why cant we have the best of both worlds, ios devices and the mac osx together, an elite line of phones, and even a more basic type of smartphone on all the carriers-without sacrificing quality. There is such a thing as doing both. It is possible.

I say kudos to android. I dont like them, but while apple rests on decisions from 2007 they will be dwarfed, and as tech advances the competitors will be able to make more and better smartphones. Already two years later the androids are getting better. They are not where the iphone is YET but they will be.

Apple doesn't need to drop its prices.

 

[maflynn]

So even with the iPhone 4 which is Apple's best selling phone they still lose marketshare.

They're losing marketshare because they are only selling two phones and in many markets on a single carrier.

Android is selling many phones on all carriers. Its not that they cannot compete, but rather are using a focused approached vs the shotgun approach. I like android, but that doesn't mean the iPhone is doomed.

 

[apple1990]

Short sighted much? Why go with Android when 80% of their users don't even download apps. My mom got an android phone because it was free. She doesn't even know what android is, or care - she just uses the phone to make phone calls.

I'd like to see a survey to see which brand is more ubiquitous, Android, or iPhone. I'm willing to bet that a healthy percentage of people that buy an Android phone don't even know it's "Android" they just thinks it's a samsung, LG, motorola etc.

And while were on the developer train, I'd like to point out that over 100 million people are now "invested" in the Apple app store - do you think developers are going to give up on that? Do you think all Developers are going to flock to an OS thats fragmented between 100s of devices, where the user base doesn't want to pay for anything?

Another thing I think is funny, is that a lot of people are misinterpreting these numbers as "their are more Android devices then iPhones" when all it simply states is that Android outsold iPhones in one fiscal quarter.

Lastly, I'd like to point out that Apple is making between 500 and 700 dollars on every iphone sold, while Google is making squat. Will be interesting to see if Google can make that money back with Ad revenue, without making the experience crap with Ads everywhere.

The only thing Apple has to worry about, is what to do with all their money.

Top, top post.

 

[zacman]

BTW everyone who says that the iPhone is just one phone and Android are many:

Seve Jobs himself compared the numbers of activated iOS devices to activated Android *phones*. He said around 260,000 iOS devices get activated every day. However iOS devices are not only the iPhones but also the iPad or the AppleTV.

So with Apple activating 260k iOS devices per day they are selling around 23 million devices (iPhones AND iPads AND AppleTV) while Android sold around 21 million *smartphones* in Q3.

So in Q3 the Android smartphones almost outsold ALL iOS devices together. Quite interesting.

 

[apple1990]

So even with the iPhone 4 which is Apple's best selling phone they still lose marketshare. Doesn't look good for Apple they're obviously growing much slower than competitors. Seem everyone who wants an iPhone now has one and people are only replacing their old iPhones while Android gets lots of new customers from other competitors.

So apple isn't being attacked, knight?

Apple doubled their sales, have a look at the manufacturers figures. Android is similar to Windows PC software but key difference is that Google don't make anywhere near the profit that Microsoft make off each PC sold.

 

[zacman]

They're losing marketshare because they are only selling two phones and in many markets on a single carrier.

That's only true for the US and selected countries of Europe. Also the iPhone is sold in MORE countries worldwide than Android phones (especially in South America).

 

[zacman]

Apple doubled their sales, have a look at the manufacturers figures. Android is similar to Windows PC software but key difference is that Google don't make anywhere near the profit that Microsoft make off each PC sold.

So in a few years we will be partying here when Macrumors reports that some 5 year old games get ported to iOS like it is now for MacOS X compared to Windows? Sorry but I don't like that future.

 

[dgree03]

Short sighted much? Why go with Android when 80% of their users don't even download apps. My mom got an android phone because it was free. She doesn't even know what android is, or care - she just uses the phone to make phone calls.

I'd like to see a survey to see which brand is more ubiquitous, Android, or iPhone. I'm willing to bet that a healthy percentage of people that buy an Android phone don't even know it's "Android" they just thinks it's a samsung, LG, motorola etc.

And while were on the developer train, I'd like to point out that over 100 million people are now "invested" in the Apple app store - do you think developers are going to give up on that? Do you think all Developers are going to flock to an OS thats fragmented between 100s of devices, where the user base doesn't want to pay for anything?

Another thing I think is funny, is that a lot of people are misinterpreting these numbers as "their are more Android devices then iPhones" when all it simply states is that Android outsold iPhones in one fiscal quarter.

Lastly, I'd like to point out that Apple is making between 500 and 700 dollars on every iphone sold, while Google is making squat. Will be interesting to see if Google can make that money back with Ad revenue, without making the experience crap with Ads everywhere.

The only thing Apple has to worry about, is what to do with all their money.

80% of users dont download apps? Do you have a source for that?

Android marketshare is more than Iphone, what part of that dont you understand?

 

[apple1990]

So in a few years we will be partying here when Macrumors reports that some 5 year old games get ported to iOS like it is now for MacOS X compared to Windows? Sorry but I don't like that future.

Who are currently the second most valuable company in the us?

 

[S.B.G]

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That's fanboy talk.

Look iPhones are superior in some ways but not in all ways to android phones

I'd like a better notification system and global voice search

most people who switch to android find it "good enough"

Soon enough it will catch up 2

u have to be impressed by google to just explode like this. Aren't you?

Fanboy? No, not me. I am not all Apple all the time. That was just a story of my experience with my 3GS. I've not bumped into anyone yet who has negatively criticized the iPhone. If someone had, I would mention it.

I'm not at all impressed by the explosion of Android. I say that because I like many folks expected that to happen. They have more carriers and device makers. That alone will sell way more than the iPhone on one carrier and a few models.

I personally don't have anything against Android at all. I'm glad it's out there to help drive innovation and give consumers a choice.

 

[samcraig]

Who are currently the second most valuable company in the us?

Point being?

I am still amused how some people in this thread try to twist messaging around to serve their own purpose because the facts that are presented don't suit them. But when the situation is reversed, they call it gospel.

Funny.

 

[iRobertM]

That's fanboy talk.

Funny how "Fanboy" is how the universal word for someone who does not agree with you. What ever happened to making an argument? Todays laziness kills me.

Who gives a rip who is in first place for sales "this" quarter. Buy what you want and enjoy it, speak with your wallet, it is much more effective then creating a account called "IHateSteveJobs" on a Apple site.

 

[jhende7]

80% of users dont download apps? Do you have a source for that?

Android marketshare is more than Iphone, what part of that dont you understand?

Oh dear, your not the sharpest knife in the drawer are you? Android had larger Q3 market share, but not total market share.

And I think you missed the remaining content of my post.

To give you some context (and i'll make this very simple so even you will understand)

Google expects total Mobile Revenue to surpass $1 Billion for the 2010 fiscal year. Apple is tracking about $6 Billion a quarter (or $24 Billion a year).

I'm sure Apple is shaking in it's boots because Google is tracking to make 4% of of it's Mobile Revenue.