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IDC: Android poised to pass Apple's iOS, Nokia's Symbian in Europe

Google's Android mobile operating system will pass Apple's iOS and Nokia's Symbian in 2011 to become the top smartphone platform in all of Europe, IDC has predicted.

IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo told Bloomberg that Android, which was nipping at the heels of Apple's iOS in the third quarter of 2010, will likely surpass both Apple and Nokia next year. In the last quarter, Nokia's Symbian represented 34 percent of smartphone sales in Western Europe, the iPhone was 24 percent, and Android was 23 percent.

"The iPhone was last year's hot device and now people are looking for something different," Jeronimo reportedly said. He added that he believes the new Samsung Galaxy S offers a similar experience to the iPhone at a lower price.

Samsung was propelled by the launch of the Galaxy S last quarter, helping it achieve 14 percent of Android-based handset shipments. HTC was the Android leader in Europe representing 39 percent, followed by Sony Ericsson with 27 percent.

Android's ascendancy in Europe follows it surpassing the iPhone in the U.S. earlier this year. Google's free operating system is available to multiple hardware makers and device manufacturers who create smartphones and tablets in a variety of form factors, while iOS, which powers the iPhone and iPad, is restricted to hardware made by Apple.

But a recent survey found that Apple could stunt the growth of Android, at least in the U.S., if the iPhone were available on more carriers. A poll of recent smartphone buyers found that 34 percent of those not on AT&T, the exclusive carrier of Apple's smartphone, would have preferred to buy the iPhone.

According to Nielsen, even the launch of the iPhone 4 over the summer could not stop the market share growth of Android. Phones running Android in the U.S. are available on all four major wireless carriers, but in many countries in Europe, the iPhone is also available on multiple carriers.

While Android's total market share has grown, no single handset running Google's mobile operating system has compared to Apple's iPhone. The iPhone 4 sold 1.7 million in its first three days, and went on to ship a record 14.1 million last quarter.



118 Comments

extremeskater 19 Years · 2246 comments

This was to be expected and I also believe that is is true that Apple could and would slow down the growth of Android in the US if they went multi carrier.

tommyb 15 Years · 1 comment

While I do appreciate that a horserace makes for a more compelling storyline, I do not understand why writers continue to speak of Android overtaking Apple iOS. The real story is that Android is replacing Windows. Period.

If you want to write about Android and Apple, then what seems interesting to me is the fact that Apple "software cum hardware" approach is so powerful in a world that has grown up with the windows strategy.

Looking forward to hearing more about all of this.

prof. peabody 15 Years · 2858 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Google's Android mobile operating system will pass Apple's iOS and Nokia's Symbian in 2011 to become the top smartphone platform in all of Europe, IDC has predicted....

I really wish tech sites would stop reporting what manufacturers self-report as sold to their distributors and channels as actual consumer interest.

Android sells more, we all know that. This does not necessarily equate to consumers being interested in or using the product. They give Android phones away for free where I live and "sales" are through the roof, but I still rarely see anyone using one on the train.

extremeskater 19 Years · 2246 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyB

While I do appreciate that a horserace makes for a more compelling storyline, I do not understand why writers continue to speak of Android overtaking Apple iOS. The real story is that Android is replacing Windows. Period.

If you want to write about Android and Apple, then what seems interesting to me is the fact that Apple "software cum hardware" approach is so powerful in a world that has grown up with the windows strategy.

Looking forward to hearing more about all of this.

Its doing all of the above. It has already replaced Windows Mobile by far, It has beaten up RIM and its giving iOS very strong run, in some cases beating it out. There isn't any company that is so powerful that they remain powerful forever. History has proven that time and time again. Apple is on top now, for many decades they were not even considered a contender.

povilas 16 Years · 473 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by extremeskater

Its doing all of the above. It has already replaced Windows Mobile by far, It has beaten up RIM and its giving iOS very strong run, in some cases beating it out. There isn't any company that is so powerful that they remain powerful forever. History has proven that time and time again. Apple is on top now, for many decades they were not even considered a contender.

Do you even understand what you are saying is pure BS?