We know that Apple has had a stellar quarter after they announced that they had sold 74.5 million iPhones, but how does that fare against Android? As it turns out, pretty well, according to a recent report released by the Kantar Worldpanel (via MacRumors). Given that Android has more OEMs, they have typically maintained their lead, but not this time around.In Q4 2014, Kantar reported that Android’s smartphone market share was sitting at 47.6% which is actually a 3.8% decline from the previous year. Apple, however, saw an increase in market share which put them 47.7%, narrowly beating out Android and was also a 3.8% increase from Q4 2013.
This lines up with an earlier report from ABI who reported that Android smartphone shipments saw a decline of 5%. So what contributed to Apple’s success? Unsurprisingly Apple’s latest iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets are to thank for that. According to Carolina Milanesi, chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech:
“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. 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.”
Of course it remains to be seen how Android’s market share will fare in the coming quarters, especially with a range of exciting new phones like the HTC One M9, Samsung Galaxy S6, Sony Xperia Z4, and the LG G4. Let’s not forget that Microsoft could put up a fight this year with flagship handsets running on Windows 10.
