Android operating system market share in the U.S. declined four points

Telecom Lead America: Android operating system market
share in the U.S. declined four points to 56 percent in the second quarter of
2012.

Smartphone shipments fell 5 percent to reach 24 million
units in the United States during the second quarter of 2012, according to
Strategy Analytics.

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.

Strategy Analytics estimates that Android shipped 13.4
million smartphones for 56 percent share of the United States market in the
second quarter of 2012. This was down from 15.3 million units shipped and 61
percent share a year earlier.

Android is the number one platform by volume in the
United States, but its market share is approaching a peak. Apple’s US market
share has risen by ten points from 23 percent in Q2 2011 to 33 percent in Q2
2012.

Apple is rumored to be launching a new iPhone in the
coming weeks, and that event, if it takes place, is going to heap even more
pressure on Android in its home market,” said Neil Mawston, executive director
at Strategy Analytics.

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.

editor@telecomlead.com