Kevin Bostic
Thanks in part to the launch of the iPhone on T-Mobile's network, Apple's iOS platform stepped closer to Google's Android in market share over the past three months, according to a new report.
Kantar Worldpanel on Monday released its latest analysis of the U.S. smartphone market for the three month period ending May 2013, finding that Apples iOS platform held 41.9 percent of sales. That figure is up 3.5 percent from the same period last year.
Google's Android operating system remained the overall leader in smartphone share at 52 percent, up only 0.1 percentage points by Kantar's estimate. Microsoft's Windows Phone platform saw its market share jump, posting a market share of 4.6 percent, up 0.9 percent over the same period last year.
Kantar's report attributes the iPhone's share growth in no small part to the device's launch on T-Mobile in April. The launch date for the device on that carrier saw considerable lines, and executives described a "gangbusters first day of sales."
The iPhone in its assorted models accounted for 31 percent of T-Mobile's smartphone sales in the United States since its launch. Apple's bestselling smartphone accounts for more sales at T-Mobile's competitors, with the device accounting for 60.5 percent of AT&T's smartphone sales and 43.8 percent of Verizon's.
The Apple phone may continue to grow in importance on T-Mobile. Kantar's survey of the carrier's customers found that, among those planning to change devices in the coming year, fully 28 percent planned to upgrade to an iPhone.
Kantar's study also looked at smartphone sales among the major U.S. carriers, finding that there has been little movement among them. Verizon led the way with 34.6 percent of smartphone sales in the quarter, while AT&T came in second at 29 percent. Sprint accounted for 12.7 percent, and T-Mobile pulled in 10.1 percent. Despite gaining the iPhone, T-Mobile's share of smartphone sales was actually down 3.4 percent compared to the three months ending May 2012.
Google's Android OS powers the majority of both phones made and phones in the hands of consumers worldwide. Apple, though, is the sole manufacturer for devices running iOS, and the Cupertino company hauls in the lion's share of profits for the entire smartphone industry.
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28 Comments
Cue Droid shills.
Doesn't T-Mobile only sell the iPhone 5? I must say that it's an impressive YoY increase.
[QUOTE]T-Mobile launch helps iPhone cut Android lead in US by 3.5%[/QUOTE] The article title is incorrect. iOS market share grew by 3.5% while Android grew by 0.1%. This means iOS cut into Android's lead by 3.4%, not 3.5%.
I understand that this is US only and most marketshare stats should be taken with a grain of salt, but it's astonishing that Apple has such a high share. Since they're a single company that controls the OS and the devices.
At this time last year no one was buying because they were waiting for the 5, which happens to a much lesser extent with the minor updates (5s). 3.5% is 3.5% though and should be interesting to watch how T mobile`s lease plan works out in the long run.