USA Smartphone Market Share Q1 2010

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RIM Still The King

On Friday, June 4, The Nielsen Company released data on the USA Smartphone Market Share for the first quarter of 2010.  The release was titled "iPhone vs. Android" aka Apple vs. Google.  The pie chart is below yet the first data that jumps out is the RIM Blackberry OS is #`1 with 35% of the market, followed by #2 Apple iPhone OS 28%, then #3 Microsoft Windows Mobile with 19%.  Google Android OS is #4 with a mere 9%, still distantly trailing #3 Microsoft..  If there was a pie chart for hype and buzz, then obviously Apple and Google would be in a nose-to-nose race for first place.

The trend has been that RIM is losing market share, and so has Microsoft.  Meanwhile Apple and Google have been gaining.  Yet, both RIM and Microsoft have substantial shares of the market and a combined 54%.  Apple and Google are global giants with devoted followers, a four way battle is in progress as the smartphone revolution proceeds.  Google and Apple are gaining, no doubt.  There are uncertainties about RIM and how long they will be #1.  Microsoft has vast resources, including billions in cash, and should persevere and be #2 by default, behind the eventual #1 Apple.  Google still has a long way to go.

Overall, Nielsen states: "As of Q1 ‘10, Nielsen data shows that 23% of mobile consumers now have a smartphone, up from just 16% in Q2 ‘09".  Every report this year has projected a huge increase in smartphone sales year-to-year in 2010, 2011, and out to 2012, doubling, even tripling current sales.  Therefore the stakes are high, and profitable, for all four of the key players.

USA Smartphone Market Share Q1 2010

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