When Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) first introduced the iPhone, I knew I had to get one. At $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for the 8GB model, at that time it was just too expensive for me. After the newer iPhone 3G came out in 2008, along with the price drop to $199, that’s when I jumped on board. I first bought the iPhone 3G a few weeks after it came out, and have upgraded to every other generation, up until the iPhone 5.
After the iPhone 5 came out, my contract had just expired and I was itching to get a new phone. I went to every Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) store in the area to get one, but every store was sold out and didn’t know when new shipments were arriving. Being home for only a week before heading back to college, I really couldn’t wait to get a new phone, and if I didn’t get one, I’d be stuck with the iPhone 4 until I went back home in the Summer.
Review:
I’ve had the GS3 for a few months now, and to be honest, . Don’t get me wrong, the Android operating system is great and is easy to use; it’s just the little things that get me. For example, I can’t type with one hand, I need to hold the phone with two hands and use two thumbs to type (because the phone is too big to hold in one hand and type at the same time). Also, I enjoy the iPhone’s notification system better than Androids’. I don’t get the popups and same type of alerts as the iPhone.
It may look like I’m being picky, but both phones are really good, and in fact the only way to differentiate them is by discussing the small details. Android has a lot to offer, but as a long time iPhone user, I can’t seem to shake it off. When my contract expires, I do not plan to get another Android.
What This Means:
That’s the main problem with phones today. Android people have a tough time switching to iPhone, saying it’s more restrictive and less customizable, and iPhone users miss holding a sleek and sexy device. In addition, there seems to be a new player in town with Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) BlackBerry’s new Z10 phone. From what I’ve read and seen, I’m not too impressed but I may be wrong. I haven’t used the device, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
I am NOT alone:
According to data derived from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech USA’s consumer panel, “36% of iOS sales were derived from other smartphone users over the last year. The proportion of Android users moving towards the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) brand increased: 19% of iOS sales over the last year were derived from Android users, compared to 9% in 2011.”
That’s almost 2 out of every 10 iPhones being sold to Android users!
Android currently has the lead of worldwide smartphone market share at 72% compared to Apple’s market share of 14%. Remember, this is worldwide, and since most people overseas (mainly China and India) can’t really afford iPhones, Android’s lead makes sense (because it has cheaper models).
When combining those two data points, Android could still sell a record amount of smartphones, but Apple is selling more and more iPhones to previous Android users.
The Bottom Line:
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Apple are the main players in the smartphone industry. Blackberry could be considered third with its 5% market share and possible growth resulting from the Z10 and Q10 phones. The fact of the matter is that people are initially buying Android phones, but are not repurchasing Android phones. With 50% of mobile users now using smartphones, the growth of the iPhone is exponential, whereas Android growth will be more bell-shaped. Blackberry could go anywhere, as we’re going to have to wait for the sales figures to be released when the Z10 is released in March. Thanks for reading.
The article Why I Wished I Hadn’t Switched to Android originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Alec Eiber.
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