iPhone Continues to Hold Off Android in U.S. Smartphone Market Share

[firewood]

The Android numbers can climb to a clear majority without affecting the iOS ecosystem. Why?

Android customers don't spend anywhere near as much money per person on apps. Many don't buy paid apps at all. Developers usually follow the money, so iOS is where most of the cool new stuff and creative apps will happen first. Customers who want the cool apps will continue to buy enough devices from Apple and apps from the App store to keep iOS with a healthy and profitable market share, even if Android use climbs to 50%+.

 

[arkhanjel]

Really Necessary?

If you think about it this is really a non story really. Looking at these numbers this had better be true for Android OS. Android is on how many phones? On how many carriers? Now if Android OS and iOS were to swap numbers that would be something to post about.

 

[0815]

The scenario in the US:

Various Android phones (by different manufacturers) are available on every carrier (including pay-as-you-go) and are heavily subsidized across many (buy one get one free, etc.).

What do you expect?

What's impressive is that the iPhone (one manufacturer) is available on only one carrier (AT&T) with a subsidy not even comparable and it still puts up numbers like that. That's impressive.

Didn't a recent poll show that most users want an iPhone and either can't afford it or it's not available on their carrier. Pretty simple to me.

Agree.

 

[pr5owner]

The Android numbers can climb to a clear majority without affecting the iOS ecosystem. Why?

Android customers don't spend anywhere near as much money per person on apps. Many don't buy paid apps at all. Developers usually follow the money, so iOS is where most of the cool new stuff and creative apps will happen first. Customers who want the cool apps will continue to buy enough devices from Apple and apps from the App store to keep iOS with a healthy and profitable market share, even if Android use climbs to 50%+.

not really, developers want a large customer base as well (more ads seen = more money in alot of cases)

if android has more users, your chance of more users that download your program is on android.

but your partially correct, people that use iOS dont usually have a problem with paying (just look at how much apple stuff costs)

so paid program = iOS
free ad program = Android

 

[Fraaaa]

nope, android doesnt do what i need it too, thats all, i posted above which phones ive used.



the avg consumer? the avg consumer is usually too dumb to even know what phone they bought.

the "techie" consumers will know if they want an app from the store or a 3rd party

the "enthusiast" consumer will want to have full control over their phone, if they want to transfer a file over bluetooth, they WILL. if they want to install another rom on their phone, they WILL.

android make it easy to customize and make the device your own, iOS is locked down and annoying.

So you still saying the same thing on and on.

He was saying that avg consumer won't bother with those things anyways or are too complicated for them. THAT was the whole point.

The "techie" or the "enthusiast" that want to have full control on their iPhone, I am sure they have no difficulties on Jailbreak in it. How long it takes to JB an iPhone? Let's say 10 sec?

Don't start with the argument that Apple is not allowing people on doing it because as all we know is really a non-issue JB an iPhone as well as for Android people to get 3rd party Apps.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

So what about someone like myself, an Android user on AT&T, satisfied with their service, not under contract and upgrade eligible, and with $200 in disposable income to spend on a phone? You're assuming I secretly want an iPhone, but I don't. All of the right pieces are in place for me to get an iPhone, and yet, I still don't want one. I have an Android phone and love it, and will only be upgrading to a new Android phone in the future.

You do not get an iphone out of spite it seems. Strange.

 

[ChazUK]

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Those that want more power over iOS Jailbreak. Us Android users Root for more control.

No difference in either platform in that respect.

Jailbreak / Root = same thing, YES... but

i ment some people (like the 3 million on XDA Developers) want to install a CUSTOM OS, none of the carrier crap, no garbage programs, some want BASE OS, some want flashy, some want loaded.

android allows this because you can build the rom yourself, same with windows mobile, this is the only thing that saved WM from getting wiped out, WM doesnt even work out of the box, but once you flash a custom wm6.5 rom it runs blazing fast, 100% more stable, tons of functionality, totally new phone

That is a strength to Android if you want to go through the steps of a custom ROM. I love XDA and the people who do all their magic with custom Roms.

Hell, thanks Micromod777 and his adaptation of Chris Soyers Nexus One aosp Gingerbread ROM I already have a perfectly working install of Gingerbread on my N1.

That type of power and control is great to some but companies like Motorola are openly stifling open development with locked bootloaders and the such. It isn't the open Utopia we all wish for across the board.

 

[0815]

From the perspective of a company, what is more important - Market Share or Profit?

Higher market share does not lead automatically to higher profits. You can dump your stuff for almost free on the market but make almost no money or you sell it for the price it's worth (or more, but so that enough people still buy it) and make lots of money (but loose out on market share). But profits is all that those companies are about (they are not charities). Would be interesting to see a breakdown by (phone based) profits across the phone manufactures.

 

[NebulaClash]

the avg consumer? the avg consumer is usually too dumb to even know what phone they bought.

the "techie" consumers will know if they want an app from the store or a 3rd party

the "enthusiast" consumer will want to have full control over their phone, if they want to transfer a file over bluetooth, they WILL. if they want to install another rom on their phone, they WILL.

android make it easy to customize and make the device your own, iOS is locked down and annoying.

Then why on earth did you condescendingly post that picture for me when what you wrote above is precisely what I was talking about?

I said the tech audience can make any OS free. Even iOS is no wall to them. But for the non-enthusiast, non-techie audience (the vast majority of humanity), the openness of Android is meaningless to them. They get no value from it. It's not open to them at all, but locked up any way their carrier wants them to be locked up.

 

[Kan-O-Z]

Windows Phone 7 has only been out for 2 months, and it looks quite promising. Don't write it off yet.

The problem with Windows 7 is that even if it is decent, it's too little too late. What would compel someone (particularly existing user of iPhone or Android) to go to Windows 7? Windows 7 has nothing to offer over the iPhone and Android and doesn't have the app offerings that Apple and Android has.

Once people get used to a particular system and it gains a lot of support and popularity, it's hard to shift from that. Look at the personal computer and how long the PC ruled that market...and still is the dominant force.

Kan-O-Z

 

[LOLaMac]

It's funny to read "iphone continues ... android". Phone vs OS again?

Aren't they the same thing?

 

[inlovewithi]

I just bought a Droid X. It's freaking awesome. In fact I have it connected to my computer right now, and I use it as my internet connection. So I'm a new Android customer. But that's ok, the girl that sat next to me in class, her father bought her an iPhone. I didn't say it, but she said that the iPhone is a girl's phone, and I thought that was interesting since the Droid X is promoted more towards guys, because it has a big screen.

 

[Digitalclips]

"For Apple to win, Microsoft Google doesn't have to lose."

That is funny, I recall that mantra in the distant past (the original version that is). That didn't work out too well for Microsoft in the end though did it?

 

[fxtech]

wow..........really?... no really...

That guy is drunk on the Kool-aid. Forget it.

 

[fxtech]

You do not get an iphone out of spite it seems. Strange.

Or "because everyone else is doing it". I respect that.

 

[davidgrimm]

That's pretty good performance for an OS found only on 1 phone from 1 carrier (the carrier with the WORST customer service).

Imagine what iOS' share would be if the iPhone was offered by 2 (or more) carriers?

 

[Kan-O-Z]

Jailbreak / Root = same thing, YES... but

i ment some people (like the 3 million on XDA Developers) want to install a CUSTOM OS, none of the carrier crap, no garbage programs, some want BASE OS, some want flashy, some want loaded.

android allows this because you can build the rom yourself, same with windows mobile, this is the only thing that saved WM from getting wiped out, WM doesnt even work out of the box, but once you flash a custom wm6.5 rom it runs blazing fast, 100% more stable, tons of functionality, totally new phone

Well you are now talking about a user population less than 1%. I'm a techie and I just don't really care to do all that crap to my iphone even if I could. It works nice as it is and I can just about do everything. I don't care to spend my weekends hacking it, tweaking it and having a buggy phone...and after all the work Apple comes out with a new feature like Airplay and I can't have it and have to do it all over again after I can jailbreak the new version. I have better things to do and so do 99% of the rest of America. I mean seriously...don't people have better things to do than to re-write their own operating system?

Kan-O-Z

 

[inlovewithi]

This is really no different than how you still see some people believe that MSFT still owns part of Apple stock when they sold their stock back in 2002.

I thought this comment was very funny. But number 1, the media talks mostly positive, so you guys shouldn't be so paranoid about your favorite corporation.

And as for your comment. The world does not revolved around Apple, what sane person out there would even give it a half a second thought over Microsoft owning Apple shares, or that they did and sold it. Who would think about that. It's projection, a person really loves something, so they think everyone else spends as much time caring about it. Why even care if 3 people in the universe think that Microsoft owns Apple stock?

 

[NebulaClash]

I didn't say it, but she said that the iPhone is a girl's phone, and I thought that was interesting since the Droid X is promoted more towards guys, because it has a big screen.

This idea gets traction because the Verizon Droid ads are the most blatant examples I've ever seen of playing on male insecurities to sell products. The ads practically scream, "if you are a young male, you'd better get this phone. Everyone else, stay away."

People, being people, tend to internalize such propaganda, and thus you get the stereotypes that girl mentioned. It's not true, but it's what people believe when they don't think for themselves.

 

[CFreymarc]

I still think many smartphone OEMs without an OS of their own will be keen to support Windows Phone 7. Because it keeps Google honest and innovative.

If their was one licensed platform with market dominance (Android) then all the OEMs really have left to compete with is how thin they can make their margins (see the PC market).

I see Microsoft taking RIM customers with enterprise integration of Windows 7 / Windows Mobile 7 and the new Microsoft tablets launching this week at CES.

RIM is in a must-paradigm shift right now position. Their precious Canadian email server that they fought up to the US Supreme Court to keep is being by passed by the mass market. From that, they have to do something other than their softly received tablet.

As far as big losers, HP / Palm and Nokia was not even mentioned. Those guys have a lot of issues to deal with before going anywhere.

 

[yg17]

You do not get an iphone out of spite it seems. Strange.

It has nothing to do with spite. Some people just prefer Android over iOS. Is that such a hard concept for you to grasp?

 

[inlovewithi]

This idea gets traction because the Verizon Droid ads are the most blatant examples I've ever seen of playing on male insecurities to sell products. The ads practically scream, "if you are a young male, you'd better get this phone. Everyone else, stay away."

People, being people, tend to internalize such propaganda, and thus you get the stereotypes that girl mentioned. It's not true, but it's what people believe when they don't think for themselves.

She's not familiar with the Droid ads, at all. I just thought it was interesting since macrumors posted an article that showed that the iphone was most popular with girls than guys, and I mostly see girls with iPhone. If anything she probably said that because mostly girls in the school have iPhones.

 

[MrWillie]

So, here is my question...

Note: I don't own a smart phone, or have a wireless data plan.

I go and get liquered up, head over to the Radio Shack, and get a ?300 phone on Sprint (for free, with a two year contract), will I be able to play Angry Birds on my 'new' Android 1.5 phone?

I would rather pay the few dollars for a good iPad app, than get it for free and have to deal with the adds.

Second question, do these adds use data, or do the come preloaded with the app?

 

[ChazUK]

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So, here is my question...

Note: I don't own a smart phone, or have a wireless data plan.

I go and get liquered up, head over to the Radio Shack, and get a ?300 phone on Sprint (for free, with a two year contract), will I be able to play Angry Birds on my 'new' Android 1.5 phone?

I would rather pay the few dollars for a good iPad app, than get it for free and have to deal with the adds.

Second question, do these adds use data, or do the come preloaded with the app?

Do they sell any Android 1.5 powered phones? The ads would use data.

 

[pr5owner]

The problem with Windows 7 is that even if it is decent, it's too little too late. What would compel someone (particularly existing user of iPhone or Android) to go to Windows 7? Windows 7 has nothing to offer over the iPhone and Android and doesn't have the app offerings that Apple and Android has.

Once people get used to a particular system and it gains a lot of support and popularity, it's hard to shift from that. Look at the personal computer and how long the PC ruled that market...and still is the dominant force.

Kan-O-Z

xbox integtration
full exchange support (not yet but MS said its coming, this means both tasks, SMS sync and sharepoint)
office 2010 support
Zune integration (wireless sync is handy to some, just cant beat zune pass with any other service)

WP7 is like iOS and Android combined, syncs with media management software (itunes like)
choice of HW and config (android)