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Is there any stopping Android's smartphone domination?

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Posted at 2:33pm by

There was an air of inevitability surrounding Monday’s news that Android had doubled its market share in the past year.

The figures, from researchers Kantar Worldpanel Comtech reveal Google cornered a whacking 47.1 per cent of the UK smartphone market in August, up from just 22.9 per cent this time last year.

android toy 1

These chime with US stats from NPD released last month, which showed Android taking 52 per cent in the second quarter of 2011. Whichever way you look at it, the open source operating system is storming ahead, while rivals are struggling to keep up. So, why has Android grown so quickly? And is there any way iOS, BlackBerry and Windows Phone can stop it?

The reasons for such rapid growth, and iOS’s relatively weak showing of just 20.8 per cent (down from 28 per cent in 2010), can be put down largely to the lack of a new iPhone this summer.

Apple’s annual cycle has been stretched, with the iPhone 5 not expected to be released until the first week of October. That’s certainly an important aspect and one that should not be overlooked.

But why the huge jump? Quite simply, the breadth and quality of Android software and hardware has come on leaps and bounds in 2011.

The Galaxy S2 and HTC Sensation are phones which gazump the iPhone (not to mention Windows Phone and BlackBerry) in many ways, thanks to stunning implementations of the OS and hardware and video recording smarts which are streaks ahead.

samsung galaxy s2

There’s also a fantastic array of Android phones available on dirt-cheap packages that still have the latest software and can do many of the same things that their more expensive stablemates can handle (lower-end Galaxy handsets and HTC’s Wildfire S being great examples).

So, can Android be caught? It’s unlikely. But it’s also unlikely to maintain such an imperious lead as 2011 comes to a close.

Apple should be able to fire back in two ways. Firstly, with the iPhone 5. But more importantly with the rumoured iPhone 4S, the budget version of the current iPhone.

Getting more punters into the iOS ecosystem at a knockdown price is Apple’s best bet if it wants to claw back lost market share. Windows Phone may take the odd percentage point, but while its usability is not in question, Microsoft’s penetration remains woefully small.

The fact the OS can’t be customised and is tightly controlled does not appeal as much to OEMs as Android. Conversely Google’s loose controls over its OS means it can find its way into areas of the mobile market that others can’t get to. Android domination can be checked. But there’s very little chance it can be stopped

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  • Pat Nevin, 6th September 2011.

    Disagree. The loose controls are what caused massiive problems with updates. People won't tolerate that for that much longer. Google knows this, which is why it's moving to clamp down on UI customisations. When it does that it won't seem taht attractive to OEMs. Or at least no more attractive than other platforms.

    Reply

  • Tony Morris, 6th September 2011.

    @Pat Nevin I don't know what 'loose controls' are causing 'massiive problems'...?

    I've had an HTC Desire and now a Galaxy Samsung S2 and they're both brilliant. Friends have HTC Wildfire and Motorola Defy with similar opinions.

    People aren't 'tolerating' the fact that their smartphone is easy to use, expandable with memory cards, has great apps. They're getting a better deal at a better price than an iPhone.

    Please don't be led by the media stories and scares. At the end of it, iPhones are nice to use and Android phones are great to use while being cheaper, having choice and working beautifully. With Flash and without the iSulks.

    Reply

  • Tony Morris, 6th September 2011.

    @Pat Nevin I don't know what 'loose controls' are causing 'massiive problems'...?

    I've had an HTC Desire and now a Galaxy Samsung S2 and they're both brilliant. Friends have HTC Wildfire and Motorola Defy with similar opinions.

    People aren't 'tolerating' the fact that their smartphone is easy to use, expandable with memory cards, has great apps. They're getting a better deal at a better price than an iPhone.

    Please don't be led by the media stories and scares. At the end of it, iPhones are nice to use and Android phones are great to use while being cheaper, having choice and working beautifully. With Flash and without the iSulks.

    Reply

  • Paul, 6th September 2011.

    I am an avid android user,I still have the original desire updated to 2.3.3, not rooted and having used iphones in the past would never opt for an iphone over any android device. Android is tons better to use, far more flexible and in my opinion just plain better. I know some people get annoyed that they don't / can't have the latest version but they forget they probably have a great phone as it is! Ill happily stick with android thank you.

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  • Igeeks, 7th September 2011.

    Iphone is for people who afford it. Androids are sold as bogos. Letz not compare a BMW to a Kia. Both look nice and shiny.

    Itz not just the phone price. An iphone sucks money out through apps and in app purchases. My zynga budget alone is 15$ a month for play money !!. Those who can't afford it can stick to andorids and just browse and browse.

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  • Randy, 9th September 2011.

    @Igeeks I'm fine with both BMW and Kia.
    The problem begins, when BMW gets insecure about itself and starts suing Kia just because a Kia has the same 4 wheels, has 2 same headlights and pretty much everything else that a BMW has to call it a car.

    That goes to say the same about all you BMW owners - just like your maker - Insecure. You can't put sell your latest BMW 5 series without suing Kia. TSK TSK.

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