iPhone 6 launch led Apple to 47.7% share of US market, edging Android's 47.6%
For the first time since the end of 2012, Apple's iPhone edged out all devices running Android for shipments in the U.S., becoming not only the top device, but also the top domestic platform for the quarter.
The latest data from Kantar Worldpanel, published on Wednesday, shows that Apple was responsible for 47.7 percent of smartphones shipped in the U.S. during the December quarter. Led by the debut of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple managed to top the plethora of devices running Android by the slimmest of margins --?0.1 percent.
Unsurprisingly, Apple's flagship iPhone 6 was the best-selling smartphone in the U.S., and was also the most popular smartphone to give as a gift. Somewhat interestingly, Kantar says that Samsung's Galaxy S5 was the second-best selling smartphone, making it unclear whether the research firm lumped the iPhone 6 and larger iPhone 6 Plus together as one model.
With iOS and Android accounting for virtually all American smartphone sales, there was little room left for competitors: Microsoft's Windows Phone took a distant third place with 3.8 percent, while BlackBerry managed just 0.3 percent of devices shipped.
"While the success of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is unprecedented, this quarter's performance also points to Apple having its strongest portfolio ever," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. "With a range of devices available at different price points in both contract and pre-pay Apple was able to take advantage of a weaker Android offering at the premium end of the market."
The new results also spotlight Apple's success in China, where almost a quarter of consumers who bought an iPhone during the quarter were purchasing their first smartphone. The iPhone accounted for 21.5 percent of smartphones shipped in the period, increasing Apple's share from 19 percent a year ago.
The launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus also chipped away at Android's dominance in Europe, where the platform's share declined by 3.8 percentage points year over year to 66.1 percent. Apple's iOS platform, meanwhile, rose 6.2 points across the continent, and ranged from a 12.9 percent share in Spain to 42 percent in Great Britain.
The global success of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus propelled Apple to sales of a massive 74.5 million units last quarter, shattering its previous record.
The latest data from Kantar Worldpanel, published on Wednesday, shows that Apple was responsible for 47.7 percent of smartphones shipped in the U.S. during the December quarter. Led by the debut of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple managed to top the plethora of devices running Android by the slimmest of margins --?0.1 percent.
Unsurprisingly, Apple's flagship iPhone 6 was the best-selling smartphone in the U.S., and was also the most popular smartphone to give as a gift. Somewhat interestingly, Kantar says that Samsung's Galaxy S5 was the second-best selling smartphone, making it unclear whether the research firm lumped the iPhone 6 and larger iPhone 6 Plus together as one model.
With iOS and Android accounting for virtually all American smartphone sales, there was little room left for competitors: Microsoft's Windows Phone took a distant third place with 3.8 percent, while BlackBerry managed just 0.3 percent of devices shipped.
"While the success of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus is unprecedented, this quarter's performance also points to Apple having its strongest portfolio ever," said Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. "With a range of devices available at different price points in both contract and pre-pay Apple was able to take advantage of a weaker Android offering at the premium end of the market."
The new results also spotlight Apple's success in China, where almost a quarter of consumers who bought an iPhone during the quarter were purchasing their first smartphone. The iPhone accounted for 21.5 percent of smartphones shipped in the period, increasing Apple's share from 19 percent a year ago.
The launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus also chipped away at Android's dominance in Europe, where the platform's share declined by 3.8 percentage points year over year to 66.1 percent. Apple's iOS platform, meanwhile, rose 6.2 points across the continent, and ranged from a 12.9 percent share in Spain to 42 percent in Great Britain.
The global success of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus propelled Apple to sales of a massive 74.5 million units last quarter, shattering its previous record.
Comments
It is also noticeable 'other' is not doing too well. 'They' usually have very large numbers in these things and I always ask who 'they' are and usually get a snippy reply from some smart ass with a list of companies I have never heard of.
I can see why BB shares are doing well ...:rolleyes:
Meanwhile Microshit should give up and go back to doing what they do well ... Oh wait a minute ...
I’m getting kinda tired of these “my penis is bigger than your’s” articles. We harp about how Apple takes the majority of profits and how market share is meaningless, then turn around and obsess over market share. Isn’t it enough that Apple is the most important tech company of our era?
I agree basically but after all those years of the US media proudly crowing over S. Korea's dominance in volume sales over a US company (profits be damned), it seems only fair to allow AI readers some alternative data for a change.
The article specifically states 'smartphones' which would exclude the iPad, and other tablets.
We harp about how Apple takes the majority of profits and how market share is meaningless, then turn around and obsess over market share. Isn’t it enough that Apple is the most important tech company of our era?
I agree basically but after all those years of the US media proudly crowing over S. Korea's dominance in volume sales over a US company (profits be damned), it seems only fair to allow AI readers some alternative data for a change.
I don't quite concur.
The only degree of relative certainty is when a company files their respective quarterly reports. Until such time, the professionals'/public's perceptions of a industry's/companies' success(es) are the analysts's reports which are determined by them scouring the trade journals or standing outside distribution centers', wholesalers'/retail stores' doors counting packages, and/or the gossip perpetrated by so-called know-it-alls/bloggers (often malicious). And then there is the media, that rather than just report the facts, which they really have no access to, become storytellers, (which we know that books of fiction sell more that non-fiction)
Both market share and profits are extremely important to the company and their shareholders. And in turn, the feeders, i.e., brokers that make their living by how accurate their analysts project the future of the stocks they promote, and how the number of successful clients they get to follow them.
As most of us know, Apple is extremely secretive. And rightfully so. To unilaterally 'open up' or to refute what is most often wrongfully declared, would be the wish of every other competitor. And for the competition to do so, could just destroy the confidence of the Apple haters who in many cases only ask the question to which they want to hear the answer, in any language.
Not really. You're comparing one vendor to another vendor. It's more like BMW selling more than Toyota, Honda, and Nissan combined.
What's impressive is one manufacturer (Apple) is beating multiple android phone manufacturers combined
I tried to say that in the second post but that was far more succinct! :smokey:
That too damn it! :smokey::smokey:
I assume Others' stock is in the tank
Then don't read it. Still it says something when market share is not high on Apple's priority list but it is "winning" that battle in the US.
I’m getting kinda tired of these “my penis is bigger than your’s” articles. We harp about how Apple takes the majority of profits and how market share is meaningless, then turn around and obsess over market share. Isn’t it enough that Apple is the most important tech company of our era?
I don't get tired of "my penis is bigger than yours" articles. I believe that it is important to stress and to remind other people of your "penis size" to Fandroids as often as possible, so that they get the message.
Market share doesn't mean much, if it's Android and they're making no money. However, when you are both the leader in profit and marketshare, then that is a different story, and it shows the crushing dominance that Apple holds in all significant areas.
If Fandroids can not mention profits and if they can not even mention marketshare anymore, then they have nothing at all to talk about, and that's a good thing.
[URL=http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/02/malicious-google-play-apps-may-have-hosed-millions-of-android-handsets/?comments=1]
Arstechnica - Malicious Google Play apps (may have) hosed millions of Android handsets[/URL]
Read the "Promoted Comment" and tell me why anyone would want to deal with that... ever! :no:
I know and I have to agree with you, however, what apple is doing does not follow standard economic principals. Apple should not growing market share when their ASP is increasing they should in fact see declining market share, but it is not happening. As the Andriod competitor attack each other and lower the price ot gain share they all losing to each other plus Apple and only Apple is make any profits. This the issue the Market is stuck on, Apple should be loosing this game with maintaining higher pricing.
The only thing I can say is consumers buying habits are changing and they are less concern with the price of a must have item than any time in the past.
I know and I have to agree with you, however, what apple is doing does not follow standard economic principals. Apple should not growing market share when their ASP is increasing they should in fact see declining market share, but it is not happening. As the Andriod competitor attack each other and lower the price ot gain share they all losing to each other plus Apple and only Apple is make any profits. This the issue the Market is stuck on, Apple should be loosing this game with maintaining higher pricing.
The only thing I can say is consumers buying habits are changing and they are less concern with the price of a must have item than any time in the past.
One can get an 5c or 5s for the same price as a low-end Android phone. The "high-end" Android phones are about the same price (on contract) as an iPhone6x. So Apple does have both ends covered. I think the consumer does see the difference between the crappy-quality, lagging-display junk that is Android and the polished, smooth iPhone and the decision is a simple one.
Apple isn't even competing with Android per-se. They just want to make the best phone around. The Android makers on the other hand are continuously shooting themselves in the foot for doing the exact same thing that sank the PC industry. Coming out with cheap junk, and racing to the bottom of the barrel and make zero money doing it. People are seeing that, and I say "It's about time".
This is like BMW selling more cars than Toyota. Truly amazing.
It's like BMW selling more cars than Toyota and the combined sales of almost every single other car manufacturer in the world, since almost every non iPhone is an Android phone, and Windows phone marketshare is negligible.
I remember someone said that the iPhone is the only phone that, although expensive, is an affordable luxury item that most people want. No matter if you are a billionaire or a millionaire, you can't find a better phone. So, you will want one. If you are in middle class or blue collar class, you can have one without too much trouble. Adults and kids can all have it. This is just a phenomenal product!
It's just information. Unless DED wrote it, I don't read any gloating into it. Apple will have its ups and downs. It's latest financials are "up."
For contrast, this same story over on a pro-Windows, pro-Android, spite-Apple site had a headine about "Samsung stumbles, loses marketshare to Apple." A slightly different take (about Samsung's misfortune instead of focusing on Apple's fortune). I read their story, and buried in there isn't any praise for Apple, but simply acknowledging that Apple is selling what customers want, and Samsung isn't, "despite bendgate" (which I didn't interpret as a slam, but rather puzzlement over the lack of damage bendgate had on iPhone 6 sales).