Android and iOS continue to dominate the U.S. mobile market share, showing no sign of stopping anytime soon.
New data has been released by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) suggesting that together, Android and iOS control 97 percent of all mobile phone activations in the U.S., a 2 percent increase from 95 percent the same period last year.
Android holds 57 percent market share and reigns as the most popular operating system during the first quarter of 2016. Google's success is attributed mostly to its third-party vendors that integrate its Android platform into their own products. Google's Android vendor partner, Samsung, controls 37 percent market share, followed by LG, Motorola and HTC.
Apple, however, is catching up fast, accounting for 40 percent of all activations during the first three months of 2016. Despite the fact that Apple exclusively sells iPhones and has its own operating system, its market share figures are strong, almost doubling the number from 28 percent in March 2015. Apple has reached its market share peak in December 2014 at 55 percent, and is steadily gaining back its lost momentum year after year. Tech Times reported that Apple suffered a slight decline in market share for iOS back in 2014 but was able to recuperate quickly the following year.
According to Mike Levin, partner and co-founder of CIRP, Apple was able to edge out its competition, Samsung, with continued strength of iPhone 6, 6s and 6s plus sales. Samsung, on the other hand, was able to maintain its share for two straight years due to the success of the Galaxy S7 launch.
Things are not looking good for Windows Phone though. CIRP reports that the Microsoft platform has been outsold by "dumbphones," i.e. basic phones, and has been behind the race in all measurements since March 2015.
CIRP's findings are based on a survey of 500 respondents in the U.S. who activated a new or used mobile phone between the period of April 1 and 14, 2016.
CIRP is an independent company that provides equity securities research to the investment community by conducting consumer surveys and deep-level market research. The data released by CIRP is a useful tool for investors, analysts and industry participants to understand existing market trends as well as consumer behavior.
Photo: Takahiro Yamagiwa | Flickr
