Q3 2012 Smartphone OS Market Share and Growth

According to new figures released from analyst firm IDC, Android shipments reached 136 million units in Q3 2012, which accounts for 75% of the 181.1 million shipments during the quarter. The 91.5% year-over-year growth was nearly double the overall market growth rate of 46.4%. 

iOS came in second place, but was the only other mobile operating system to claim double-digit market share in the quarter with 14.9% and 57.3% year-over-year growth rate. Note, however, that the iPhone 5 was released late in the quarter, and the full impact of its sales aren’t felt yet. But without a splashy new OS-driven feature like Siri in 2011 and FaceTime in 2010, the iPhone 5 relied on its larger, but not wider, screen and LTE connectivity to drive growth.

It is interesting that Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system surged 140 percent from last year, but only holds 2 percent of the total market share. With the launch of Windows Phone 8, it may performance better.

Other mobile OS, such as BlackBerry, Symbian, Linux, all are losting ground. 

Total Android units shipped totaled 0.7 million in 2008, but has grown to 333.6 million units year-to-date.