The Rise Of Android: Now Powering 75% Of Smartphones Sold

Four years ago, when the Android operating system was launched, it was extremely different from what it was now. In fact, early prototypes of Android devices looked similar to the Blackberry Form Factor. However, then the iPhone was launched and the idea of an entirely touch driven Operating System was given serious thought. Thus Android was born, and, under Google’s wing, it has spread around the world. Latest figures by the  International Data Corporation (IDC) show that 75% off all smartphones sold in the last quarter were Android based.

Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC, said, “The share decline of smartphone operating systems not named iOS since Android’s introduction isn’t a coincidence,” said . “The smartphone operating system isn’t an isolated product, it’s a crucial part of a larger technology ecosystem. Google has a thriving, multi-faceted product portfolio. Many of its competitors, with weaker tie-ins to the mobile OS, do not. This factor and others have led to loss of share for competitors with few exceptions.”

Android’s big break, so as to say, was the Motorola Droid in 2010. This phone grew wildly popular in USA and was positioned against the iPhone. Its QWERTY keyboard and large screen won many people over to Android. After this, the Samsung Galaxy S series was their next break. These sold in the tens of millions (over 30 million sold worldwide) and further boosted Android’s market share. However, the biggest gain factor for Android was the fact that they managed to penetrate the middle and lower middle end range of devices, something that the iPhone just could not touch.

Since Google gives the Android Operating System to OEM’s for free, it was a preferred option by them to Windows Mobile or Symbian. This lead to Android’s market share growing Quarter after Quarter. After overtaking Symbian and Blackberry, the next milestone for Android was overtaking the iPhone’s market share in the US. Once this too was accomplished, Android’s grip over the market continued to grow.

Samsung is one provider who has benefited greatly from Android. It literally turned the tables around in the Mobile Phone market. Three years ago, Nokia was a giant, with Samsung being a nobody in the market. Now, people comment that the tables have been turned.  Their Galaxy S, Galaxy S II and Galaxy S II, couples with their Note and Note II completely captured the high end Android range for the last three years. This, coupled with their dozens of variants of cheaper models, are a significant factor in Android’s market share today.

Where does Android go from here? Considering the fact that people using Apple’s iOS devices like the iPhone are unlikely to switch to an Android phone, we can say that is market share they will not capture. With Nokia and Microsoft giving their best with Windows Phone 8, they too can potentially be a force to reckon with. Blackberry looks ready for 2013 with their BB10 Operating System. The future is anyone’s to predict.

What do you think? Will Android continue to rule the roost or is their time at the top limited? Do let us know in the comments below.

Image Courtesy | Phandroid

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