Apple Continues to Hold More Than Half of U.S. Smartphone Sales

Research firm Kantar Worldpanel today issued a report indicating that Apple continued to maintain its position as the best-selling smartphone platform in the United States during the fourth quarter of 2012. Kantar Worldpanel, which releases its rolling quarterly data on a monthly basis, indicated that Apple retook the lead from Android in the August-October period and gathered a majority share for the first time in the September-November period.

kantar dec12 us smartphones
Looking at year-over-year comparisons, iOS increased its market share in the final quarter of 2012 to 51.2% from 44.9% in the same quarter the previous year. Android sales remained almost constant at just over 44%, with nearly all of Apple's gains coming at the expense of Research in Motion and other smaller players.

“Apple’s continual improvement is thanks to both the iPhone 5 and older models attracting various customer groups, from repeat Apple buyers, first time smartphone buyers and those coming from other smartphone brands," said Kantar Worldpanel ComTech analyst Mary-Ann Parlato.

Kantar Worldpanel notes that 35% of Apple's sales during the period were to those upgrading from a previous iPhone, with 36% switching from a competitor platform and 30% upgrading from a feature phone to their first smartphone.

Kantar's data comes just as Verizon announced its results for the fourth quarter, revealing that the iPhone represented approximately 63% of the carrier's total smartphone activations.

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Top Rated Comments

RoelJuun Avatar
162 months ago
Wonder what the "Apple will die" crowd will say now.

The US is not their entire market.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swarmster Avatar
162 months ago
So can someone tell me why my stock is trading below $500 this morning then?
AAPL is an extremely manipulated stock. Large brokerages short and release rumours and otherwise force the prices down, only to increase the pop later (maybe 4Q earnings this time?). The rumour mill and high price/volume makes it easy to ride up and down by hundreds of dollars if you're one of the big guys. I wouldn't take it as any reflection on Apple's actual performance.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xgm541 Avatar
162 months ago
Wonder what the "Apple will die" crowd will say now.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frayne182 Avatar
162 months ago
Thinking RIM will make a bigger comeback this year.


BB10 is looking damn good. No joke.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ForzaJuve Avatar
162 months ago
Aapl

So can someone tell me why my stock is trading below $500 this morning then?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JS82712 Avatar
162 months ago
This makes those idiots at WSJ look even more embarrassing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)