Kantar Worldpanel has released its latest report on the global smartphone market, covering the quarter ending last March.
Kantar's reports describe the situation that has developed in the main mobile phone markets, namely in Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy), in the USA, in China, in Australia and in Japan.
Overall, in the European markets iOS gains a slight rise and now stands at 19.2%, while Android records a share of 70.7, increased by 1.5% compared to last year. Microsoft’s Windows Phone is at 8.1%, versus 6.5% last year.
In the individual European markets Italy appears among the strongest markets for Microsoft, where it has a share of 13.9%, showing an annual increase of 3%. Android holds the top position on the Italian peninsula with a share of 70.7%, versus 62.5% last year.
The smallest increase for Windows Phone appears in Germany (0,5%), while Android dominates, rising from 73,6% last year to 77%. In Spain Android moved downwards from 93,7% to 88,6%, while Windows Phone recorded a share of 3% and iOS 7,6%, noting an increase of 4,5% compared to last year.
According to Kantar analysts, devices such as the Lumia 520 allowed Nokia to dynamically penetrate the European low‑cost device market, and become the first choice for users migrating from earlier Symbian devices.
This trend may change now that there is intense competition in this category with the arrival of Motorola's Moto G, as well as Samsung's aggressive discount policy for certain models (such as the S3 or mini versions of some devices).
In the US market Android maintains the lead (57.6%), with a strong upward trend, while iOS holds a share of 35.9% down 7.8% compared to last year. Windows Phone and BlackBerry complete the list with shares of 5.3% and 0.7%, respectively.
In the Chinese market, despite the addition of the iPhone to China Mobile's portfolio, iOS saw a decline in its share by 5.4%, limited to 17.9%. Android maintains in China a market share of around 80%, recording an increase of 8.1%.
Finally, Japan remains the undisputed stronghold of Apple, with iOS maintaining a market share of 57.6% compared to Google's Android at 41.5%.
Source: naftemporiki.gr
