As Google and Apple continue to duke it out over smartphone market share, new data from IDC casts light on just how much impact the two platforms are having. As is turns out, iOS and Android combined accounted for a massive 85% of all smartphone shipments worldwide last quarter!
Android claims most of that marketshare, at 68.1 percent, likely due in large part to Android’s increased presence in China, as well as the availability of dozens of models of very inexpensive Android-powered handsets. The iPhone, on the other hand, claims 16.9% worldwide.
It’s worth noting that these are quarterly results, and many prospective iPhone purchasers are waiting for Apple’s next iPhone to be released before they plunk down their cash. It’s also worth mentioning that Apple is actively working on increasing their presence in the Asian market.
While iOS and Android dominate, however, platforms such as Blackberry and Symbian aren’t doing so well. The two platforms combined account for less than ten percent of all handsets last quarter. Meanwhile, Windows Phone is growing, although it will be awhile before it holds a serious market stake, if ever.