Android Tops U.S. Smartphone Buys, Windows Phone Still Struggling

Cell phone users continue to make smart choices ? smartphone choices, that is.

As of June, 54.9 percent of all U.S. mobile subscribers own a smartphone, Nielsen reported. So, the next time you're standing on the street corner, it's more likely than not that the person next to you is carrying an Android, Apple, or BlackBerry phone.

About 51.8 percent of U.S. smartphone owners currently own an Android device, followed by 34.3 percent who have an iPhone, and 8.1 percent who have a BlackBerry.

Nielsen found that in the last three months, most of those who bought a new smartphone ? 54.6 percent ? picked up Android handsets. Apple's iOS platform remained popular for 36.3 percent of buyers, while only 4 percent opted for a Blackberry.

Microsoft is still struggling to make a dent in the mobile market. Its aging Windows Mobile platform actually outpaced the newer Windows Phone at 3 percent vs. 1.3 percent, Nielsen found. Despite Microsoft's close ties to Nokia, meanwhile, most Windows Phone users are using Samsung or HTC devices, both capturing 0.5 percent to Nokia's 0.3 percent.

Overall, Nielsen said, Apple had the highest manufacturer share of smartphone handsets at 34 percent. Samsung (17 percent), HTC (14 percent), and Motorola (11 percent) nabbed most of the Android share.

This week's numbers are in line with those that comScore reported in April, revealing in April that Android captured more than 50 percent of the U.S. smartphone market this year for the first time.

"Dumb phones" are becoming less and less of a staple of daily life. When was the last time your friend pulled out a flip phone in search of directions to the nearest frozen yogurt shop?

The release of phones like Samsung's Galaxy S III and the HTC One series will likely help Android continue its climb. Meanwhile, Apple's next-generation iPhone is expected this fall.

A global move toward smartphones and tablets is in the works, as PC sales continue to drop. Gartner Principal Analyst Mikako Kitagawa said consumers are less interested in spending money on computers when other technology, like media tablets and smartphones, is available.

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Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407103,00.asp?kc=PCRSS05039TX1K0000762

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