Gartner's Worldwide Mobile OS Sales data is out for 3Q2011, and what a quarter it was for Android. Android's marketshare hit 52.5% after growing for an unprecedented 13 straight quarters. Same Walton was once asked, "How many more Wal-Mart's will you open?" He replied, "How many K-Marts are left?"
And so it goes with Nokia Symbian, RIM BlackBerry, and now Microsoft. Symbian has lost another 5%, RIM another 1%, and Microsoft is down just a little.
Part of Android's success is that there have been over 400 devices in every size instead of offering one size like Apple. As the market continues it's rapid shift to larger formats, only Android has these larger formats. The 2011 Android Central Reader Awards has shown that buyers crave the new larger screens that Android delivers. Recent months have seen the introduction of the 4.3" Thunderbolt 4G, Droid X2, Inspire 4G, Sensation, EVO 3D, and Photon as well as the 4.5" Infuse 4G. Note that all are 4G as well.
The Bionic, LG Thrill, Vigor, Within, Function, Attain, Hercules, and a list of other 4.3"+ phones are expected in the weeks ahead.
Android is now averaging
The Road Ahead is not as clear. Nokia has said that they are shutting down Symbian in the coming years and BlackBerry will most likely continue it's steady decline. At some point each is worth more for their patent portfolio than their products.
Regardless. no product can sustain Android's explosive growth. The iPhone 5 was expected in 2011 and now in 2012 and Apple is posting steady growth. Apple is trying desperately with legal assaults on patents. Time will tell.
See the Phone Comparison and 4.3" Displays Are Now the Sweet Spot.
See Gartner, Inc. Research Reports: 3Q2011, 2Q2011, 1Q2011, 2010. 3Q2010, 2Q2010, 1Q2010, 4Q2009, 3Q2009, 2Q2009, 1Q2009, etc.
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