The results of a Nielsen survey conducted in August and released Monday reinforced several ongoing trends:
The smartphone pie is getting bigger.
While 43% of all mobile subscribers in the US had a smartphone as of August, according to Nielsen, 58% of those who bought a new mobile phone in the last 3 months chose a smartphone over a feature phone.
Android's slice continues to grow.
The share of smartphones running Google's Android Operating System (OS) hit 43% in August, but of those who bought smartphones in the past 3 months, 56% bought Androids.
The iPhone's share is holding steady.
Apple's iOS remains in second place, with a 28% share of all subscribers and of recent purchasers.
The also-rans are running out of time.
Research in Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry and "other" continue to lose share.
In its interpretation of the results, Nielsen offers two contradictory observations:
- "The preferences of ... so-called 'recent acquirers' are important as they are often a leading indicator of where the market is going."
- "[Apple's] figures could change quickly in the months to come. Every time Apple launches a new iPhone or makes it available on a new wireless carrier, there is an increase in their sales."
Below: A Nielsen chart showing the relationship between all subscribers and recent acquirers.
You can read Nielsen's press release here.
Source: Fortune
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