Android’s U.S. Smartphone Market Share Declines to 56 Percent In Q2 2012

According to the latest research published by Strategy Analytics Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) service, smartphone shipments fell 5 percent annually to reach 24 million units in the United States during the second quarter of 2012. The Android operating system lost ground to Apple iOS as ‘ market share fell four points on an annual basis to 56 percent.

Strategy Analytics notes that this was one of the slowest growth rates ever experienced by the important US smartphone market. A volatile economy, maturing penetration of smartphones among contract mobile subscribers, and major operators tightening their upgrade policies to enhance profits were among the main causes of the slowdown.

Android remains the number one platform by volume in the United States, but its market share is peaking as Apple iOS gains ground, the report finds. Apple’s US market share has risen by ten points from 23 percent in Q2 2011 to 33 percent in Q2 2012, and with Apple rumoured to be launching a new iPhone in the coming weeks, that event, if it takes place, is going to heap even more pressure on Android in its home market teh researchers observe.

Meanwhile, Blackberry’s smartphone market share in the United States has dropped from 11 percent to 7 percent over the past year, reaching its lowest level in recent history. Consumers, businesses and operators continue to be frustrated by Blackberry’s limited toushcreen smartphone portfolio and repeated delays to its new BB10 operating system.

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