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iPhone Approaches 10% of U.S. Installed Mobile Phone Base

Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:03 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
comScore today released the results of its latest survey of mobile phone usage in the United States, revealing that Apple is quickly approaching a 10% share of the U.S. mobile phone market. Among the top mobile phone manufacturers, Apple led the pack in growth between the three-month period ending in May and the period ending in August, growing by 1.1 percentage point to hit 9.8% of the U.S. market.


Looking specifically at smartphones and measuring platforms instead of manufacturers, Apple checked in at 27.3% of the market, up 0.7% over the prior period but trailing Android's 5.6 percentage point growth.


The reports also highlight the rapid deterioration in Research in Motion's market share. Apple and RIM had been neck and neck in share just four reports ago, covering the February-April 2011 period, but RIM has fallen to under 20% of the smartphone market as Apple has surpassed 27%.

comScore's surveys track installed user base rather than recent sales as tracked by many other firms. As a result, comScore's numbers react more slowly to changing trends in mobile phone sales than shorter-range measures of recent sales. But comScore's numbers would be more accurate reflections of actual consumer usage given typical upgrade cycles on the order of 18 months for average users.
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gnagy
21 months ago

Well, I can tell you that the Google install base will be going up thanks to me. :D

It's been fun with with my iPhone 3G and iPhone 4, but I think it's time for me to move on to something new. Android here I come. Doesn't anyone feel this way?


You won't know how much Android sucks until you try it for yourself. :-)

While there are many people that feel that way, I know just as many that are ready to come back to the iPhone 4S after owning an Android device.
Rating: 12 Positives
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Taz Mangus
21 months ago

Well, I can tell you that the Google install base will be going up thanks to me. :D

It's been fun with with my iPhone 3G and iPhone 4, but I think it's time for me to move on to something new. Android here I come. Doesn't anyone feel this way?


No! I use several different Android phones from different manufacturers at work. The battery life is abysmal with all of them. I love the feature in Android that when an app crashes that causes the OS to freeze up I am forced to remove the battery to get it to restart. I guess there is more than one reason to have a removal battery.

Sorry but given my first hand experience with Android phones I have no desire to buy one. And yes I have used the Samsung Galaxy S II.
Rating: 8 Positives
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KnightWRX
21 months ago

nobody in their right mind would buy an iphone 4 in the last few months


Then why did Apple have their best quarter of sales yet with it in the last months ? :rolleyes:
Rating: 7 Positives
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outphase
21 months ago

nobody in their right mind would buy an iphone 4 in the last few months


The average person is not aware to rumors and rumblings like those of us on MR.
Rating: 6 Positives
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firewood
21 months ago


Well they can kiss that percentage goodbye after yesterdays crappy announcement ...


The thing announced yesterday that will affect the percentage the most is not the new 4S. It's the lower prices on the 4 and the 3GS.

The 3GS was already a top selling model last quarter, better selling than all or nearly all of the current Android models. The zero up-front subsidized price on the 3GS price will boost iPhone market share in the U.S, even if the 4 and 4S together barely hold the percentage they had last month.
Rating: 5 Positives
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lsvtecjohn3
21 months ago
Apple market share is going to go up with the iPhone now on a third carrier (Sprint). Att, Sprint and Verizon will also be selling the iPhone 4 for $99 and Att will be selling the 3GS free on contract.
Rating: 4 Positives
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shawnce
21 months ago

average joes will be as confused as hell when they walk into an Apple store now thinking "I heard about a new iphone being released" and then being shown the 4S

Just like how the 3GS completely confused folks that walked in and failed in the market right?
Rating: 4 Positives
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inkswamp
21 months ago

Well, I can tell you that the Google install base will be going up thanks to me. :D

It's been fun with with my iPhone 3G and iPhone 4, but I think it's time for me to move on to something new. Android here I come. Doesn't anyone feel this way?


I own an Android-based phone and an iPhone 3G, and there's no comparison on any level--software quality and availability, ease-of-use, design, OS, customer support, updates, hardware quality, etc. I'll never buy another Android phone.

But best of luck with that. Hopefully you'll have a different experience than I had.
Rating: 4 Positives
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sugarbear
21 months ago
Between the free 3GS, the $99 iPhone 4, and greater availability, Apple's legitimately making a market share play... and is gonna snap up much of the lower-end market where Andriod was winning.

The high-end folks (most of us on MR) might be disappointed with the 4S, but the lower end of the market is rubbing their hands with glee.

Wait until you see the market share pie charts for next year. The strategy will become evident.
Rating: 4 Positives
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Raptura
21 months ago
Well, I can tell you that the Google install base will be going up thanks to me. :D

It's been fun with with my iPhone 3G and iPhone 4, but I think it's time for me to move on to something new. Android here I come. Doesn't anyone feel this way?
Rating: 4 Positives

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