Smartphone Operating System: When it comes to the top selling smartphone operating system, there is no arguing the fact that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android is leading the market.
These two companies, with their operating systems, are fighting for market share with each passing day.
According to a report by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, Windows accounted for “5.6% of smartphone sales in the first quarter of 2013.”
While this may not appear to be a large number for Microsoft, it is something the company can hang its hat on.
When compared to the same period last year, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows gained 1.9 percent market share. This is only a small chunk of what Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is doing, but it is progress nonetheless.
Before we go any further with where Microsoft stands, let’s take a closer look at Google and Apple.
Android is top dog right now, with “nearly half (49.3%) of smartphone sales.” You would think this would be enough for a sizeable lead, however, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) checks in at 43.7 percent of smartphone sales.
Here is what Kantar Worldpanel ComTech analyst Mary-Ann Parlato had to say about Apple and Google in relation to Microsoft:
“As iOS and Android continue to battle it out for top selling smartphone OS, we have seen Windows steadily grow over the past year and is now at its highest sales share figure so far.”
This is big news for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), as it shows that the company is capable of holding its own against the likes of Apple and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG).
Of course, this leads to one very important question: why has Microsoft been able to grab more market share, if even only a little bit, from Apple and Google?
While there are many opinions on this, including the fact that Apple is due for an iPhone update, Parlato added some more thoughts on the matter:
“Windows strength appears to be the ability to attract first time smartphone buyers, upgrading from a featurephone. Of those who changed their phone over the last year to a Windows smartphone, 52% had previously owned a feature phone. Comparatively, the majority of iOS and Android new customers were repeat smartphone buyers, with 55% of new iOS customers, and 51% of new Android customers coming from another smartphone. While the differences between these figures are small, with over half of the US market still owning a featurephone, it’s likely that many will upgrade over the coming year, which will ultimately contribute to more growth for the Windows brand.” Parlato continues.”
This is good news for Microsoft and not so good of news for Google and Apple. Do you think the balance of power is going to shift in the years to come?
Check back here for more updates on Smartphone Operating System.
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