Daniel Eran Dilger
A report by NPD Group trumpeted the broad use of Android across 52 percent of phones sold to consumers in the US in the second quarter of 2011, noting only a slight quarterly gain by Apple to claim a 29 percent share.
Buried deeper in the data is the fact that Apple is holding its position and then some using two models at the end of their lifespan. The most popular US phone is Apple's relatively expensive iPhone 4 which was released over a year ago.
The two year old iPhone 3GS held onto the second spot in popularity thanks to its low price, which AT&T has used to compete against Verizon after its rival gained access to the iPhone 4 this spring. Initially $99, the model has been offered for $49, with occasional promotions that make the phone free with a contract.
Google has promoted its Android platform as having the potential to drive down the cost of hardware to attract low end buyers, but Apple's ability to sell older versions of its flagship iPhone at a discount has so far beaten Android at its own game.
Apple is expected to release a new iPhone 5 model around the end of September or early October, and is anticipated to similarly offer a lower end version of iPhone 4 as its budget-priced model.
In reviewing iPhone 4, AppleInsider recommended against opting for the much slower and older iPhone 3GS, which is much closer in price to iPhone 4 when the value of the carrier's subsidy is figured into its total cost.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
52 Comments
So strange, all these success stories yet I thought Android was supposed to be killing the iPhone!
. . . Buried deeper in the data is the fact that Apple is holding its position and then some using two models at the end of their lifespan. The most popular US phone is Apple's relatively expensive iPhone 4 which was released over a year ago.
The two year old iPhone 3GS held onto the second spot in popularity thanks to its low price, which AT&T has used to compete against Verizon after its rival gained access to the iPhone 4 this spring. Initially $99, the model has been offered for $49, with occasional promotions that make the phone free with a contract.
Since this isn't mentioned in the report linked in the original article, there must be an additional link that failed to be included? I don't at all disagree with the post, especially considering any of the top selling Android phones are probably also only available at a single carrier, normally Verizon in the US. It would be interesting to see which phones besides the iPhone made it to NPD's top 5.
In any case congrats to Apple's 4G for reportedly remaining the top-selling smartphone in the US even tho it's over a year old now.
So strange, all these success stories yet I thought Android was supposed to be killing the iPhone!
Oooh were Google and we can shove our Android on loads of stuff. But really were not that big of a market player because most of our so called platform could be replaced with any dude with an obscure version of Linux to sell. Oh err by the way would you like to buy a Motorola Droid? Just asking, seeing as Motorola Mobility is doing so well right now.
Quite shocking, really. The total cost of ownership for the 3GS over two years is hardly much lower that the one for iPhone 4, and spreading the difference over such a long period would make it barely noticeable. In contrast, the difference in everyday use must be quite tangible...
I still don't get why Apple needs to offer a "lower end version of the iPhone 4", or at least is rumored to do so. Wouldn't just the original iPhone 4 do this? Are they expecting to sell the lessened version of the 4, the new 5, and the original 4? What is the market for the middle 4 in that case? The people looking for the best and brightest go for the 5, the economical market goes for the watered down 4, and who is left for the original 4?
I can't imagine that with the 2 year contract the 5 is going to be more than $399, so does that mean they go with the watered down 4 at $99, the original 4 at $199, and the 5 at $399? The only thing I could think is the basic 4 is $99 with contract, the original 4 is $299 unlocked and no contract, and the 5 is $299-$399 with 2 year contract for us on the US side of the pond.