Android, iOS Surge To New Smartphone OS Record In 2Q12

Android and iOS powered 85 percent of all smartphones shipped in the second quarter of 2012, establishing a new combined high for the mobile operating systems from Google and Apple. According to the International Data Corporation Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Android amassed a commanding 68.1 percent market share of all smartphones shipped during the quarter, while BlackBerry and Symbian reached just 4.8 percent and 4.4 percent respectively. “The market was entreated to several flagship models from Android’s handset partners, prices were well within reach to meet multiple budgetary needs, and the user experience from both Google and its handset partners boosted Android smartphones’ utility far beyond simple telephony.” “The mobile OS market is now unquestionably a two-horse race due to the dominance of Android and iOS,” said Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. “With much of the world’s mobile phone user base still operating feature phones, the smartphone OS market share battle is far from over. There is still room for some mobile OS competitors to gain share, although such efforts will become increasingly difficult as smartphone penetration increases.” Operating System Highlights Android’s success in the market can be traced directly to Samsung, which accounted for 44.0 percent of all Android smartphones shipped in 2Q12 and totaled more than the next seven Android vendors’ volumes combined.