Apple Sneaks by Android in Fourth Quarter U.S. Smartphone Sales

Reuters reports on new data from research firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech showing that Apple slipped past Android by the narrowest of margins in fourth quarter U.S. smartphone sales, with Apple's iPhone taking 44.9% of the market and Android taking 44.8%.

"Apple has continued its strong sales run in the U.S., UK and Australia over the Christmas period," Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director at the research firm said.

"Overall, Apple sales are now growing at a faster rate than Android across the nine countries we cover," Sunnebo added.

The results, driven by Apple's blockbuster quarter in the wake of the iPhone 4S launch, saw Apple double its U.S. sales share year-over-year while Android slipped from its 50% share a year ago. Apple yesterday reported sales of 37 million iPhones during the quarter, far exceeding expectations.

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Kantar's report also focuses on Windows Phone, which continues to struggle despite the high-profile launch of Nokia's Lumia smartphones. Windows Phone's market share remains at less than 2% in all nine markets followed by Kantar.

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Top Rated Comments

voonyx Avatar
170 months ago
Okay, I seem to remember the pundits saying something about how the iPhone 4S was going to be a sales flop because it does not have a 4" screen, does not have 1GB RAM, has only a 800MHz processor, does not support 4G LTE, does not have NFC, looks the same as a iPhone 4, etc., etc. etc.

Yeah, where are those guys now? Oh they're the ones downvoting all the posts in this thread LOL
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Taz Mangus Avatar
170 months ago
Okay, I seem to remember the pundits saying something about how the iPhone 4S was going to be a sales flop because it does not have a 4" screen, does not have 1GB RAM, has only a 800MHz processor, does not support 4G LTE, does not have NFC, looks the same as a iPhone 4, etc., etc. etc.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
voonyx Avatar
170 months ago
Apple just needs to file for Chapter 11 and call it a business already.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jaison13 Avatar
170 months ago
wow, that's pretty amazing considering we are talking 3 models vs. about 1000 different android handsets. they are raking in some major $$ because their profit margin is much higher.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Taz Mangus Avatar
170 months ago
Yeah, where are those guys now? Oh they're the ones downvoting all the posts in this thread LOL

They can't even claim that Samsung SHIPPED more handsets this time. :o
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SuperSnake2012 Avatar
170 months ago
Glad I was able to help by getting rid of my Evo and buying a 4S. :cool:
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)