In brief
Android dominated the global smartphone market in Q3 2016 with an 87.5% share and 328 million shipments, while iOS held 12.1%. Low-cost services and user-friendly software supported Android's lead, but few manufacturers profited from it, and Google's Pixel introduced direct competition with its hardware partners.
When asked about smartphones, most people might say iPhone, but when it comes to market share, the leader is Android. According to the latest report from research firm Strategy Analytics, Android's market share has reached a record high, surpassing 87.5%.
The figures were compiled for the third quarter of this year. Android accounted for as much as 87.5% of the global market. In other words, nine out of every ten people had an Android phone in their hands. By contrast, rival iOS saw its usage share decline continuously over the past three months, corresponding with the continued decline in iPhone sales reported in Apple's financial results.
According to Strategy Analytics, Android shipments totalled 328 million units during the quarter, up 10.3% from the same period last year, while Apple shipped 45.5 million units. iOS's global market share for the quarter fell to just 12.1%, down 1.5% from the same period last year.
Analysts said Android's leading position in the global smartphone market appeared unshakeable for the time being. Its low-cost services and user-friendly system software were highly attractive to hardware manufacturers and consumers worldwide.
However, Android is not entirely without drawbacks. More than a hundred phone manufacturers currently use Android, yet very few actually make a profit from it. Google's launch of its own phone, Pixel, also puts it in direct competition with its hardware partners. So, although Android currently holds a commanding lead, the situation could still change in the future.
http://www.bnext.com.tw/article/41680/2016-q3-android-worldwide-share