Gartner, the world's leading information technology research and advisory company, released sales figures today on the worldwide sales of mobile devices. The sales figures and analysis were for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Cellphone industry growth a matter of perspective
A Reuters article with the headline, "Cellphone market growth dives in third quarter," might lead you to believe the news is negative.
But looking closer at the Gartner press release the news does not appear all that gloomy, "demand for smartphones stalled in advanced markets such as Western Europe and the U.S. as many users waited for new flagship devices featuring new versions of the key operating systems."
If many consumers held off buying cellphones in anticipation of new models and better deals over the holiday season, the interesting numbers to watch will be the sales figures of the fourth quarter of 2011.
Google Android gains impressive
While some of the numbers could lead to interpretation, worldwide smartphone sales to end users by operating system in the third quarter of 2011 showed a clear winner.
Comparing third quarter of 2010 to third quarter of 2011, Google's Android saw its share more than double to 52.5 percent of worldwide smartphone sales to by operating system, up from 25.3 percent.
The Symbian mobile operating system, used primarily by Nokia, held on to the number two spot, but saw its market share drop from 36.3 percent to 16.9 percent.
Rounding out the top three, Apple's iOS market share also dropped, going from 16.6 percent to 15.0 percent.
Further on down the list was Microsoft, with a decline to just 1.5 percent of smartphone sales by operating system, down from 2.7 percent in the same time last year.
It will be interesting to see how the fourth quarter sales impact the lead that the Google Android operating system is opening up on the competition.
To stay informed or to share your Technology News, follow Tom Peracchio @Gu42 on Twitter or Guru42 on Facebook.
Comments