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February 15, 2013

Android, iOS powered 91.1% of smartphones in Q4: IDC

Android smartphone vendors and Apple shipped 207.6 million smartphones globally in Q4 2012.

By CBR Staff Writer

Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS powered 91.1% of the smartphones shipped during fourth quarter (Q4) of 2012, and 87.6% of the smartphones shipped during entire year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Phones shipped by Android vendors and Apple were up 70.2% from the 122 million units shipped during the same period in 2011.

IDC said Android and iOS powered 87.6% of the 722.4 million smartphones shipped for the full year of 2012, up 68.1% from 2011.

Google’s Android operating system was used on 70.1% of smartphones shipments Q4, while Apple’s operating system powered 21%of the smartphones shipped..

IDC research manager of mobile phones, Ramon Llamas ,said the dominance of Android and Apple reached a new mark in the fourth quarter.

"Android boasted a broad selection of smartphones, and an equally deep list of smartphone vendor partners," Llamas said.

"Finding an Android smartphone for nearly any budget, taste, size, and price was all but guaranteed during 2012. As a result, Android was rewarded with market-beating growth."

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"Likewise, demand for Apple’s iPhone 5 kept iOS out in front and in the hands of many smartphone users. At the same time, lower prices on the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S brought iOS within reach of more users and sustained volume success of older models.

"Even with the Apple Maps debacle, iPhone owners were not deterred from purchasing new iPhones."

IDC found that Samsung was the biggest contributor to Android’s success, making up 42% of all Android smartphone shipments during 2012.

According to IDC, BlackBerry’s decision to postpone the release of BB10 to 2013 left the platform vulnerable in 2012 and primarily reliant on older smartphones running on BB7.

The report said the Windows phone made progress in 4Q12 and 2012. The addition of Nokia’s strong commitment behind the platform was the key driver in Microsoft’s success.

About 76% of all Windows-based phones that shipped in Q4 were from Nokia, IDC said.

IDC programme manager for Mobile Device Trackers, Ryan Reith said: "With the recent introductions of two new smartphone platforms we expect some ground to be made by the new entrants over the coming years.

"There is no question the road ahead is uphill for both Microsoft and BlackBerry, but history shows us consumers are open to change. Platform diversity is something not only the consumers have asked for, but also the operators," .

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