Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, LLC (CIRP) today released results of its research on mobile phone operating systems for the calendar quarter that ended December 31, 2013. This analysis features findings about consumer trends in mobile phone operating systems from October-December 2013.
CIRP finds that Apple iOS had a greater share of mobile phone operating systems than Google Android. CIRP bases its findings on its survey of US subjects that activated a new or used mobile phone in October-December 2013.
Apple iOS had 48% of mobile phone operating systems, while Android had 46%. Windows, Blackberry, and non-smartphones each accounted for less than 3% of activations in this sample.
MacDailyNews Take: Good job there, beleaguered Blackberry. That’s a nice round percentage. (Note: to CIRP: You can drop them now, amateur hour ended long ago.)
“Apple clearly benefitted from launch of the iPhone 5S and 5C just a couple weeks before the quarter started,” said Josh Lowitz, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. “It increased its share considerably over the previous quarter, when it had only 34% of activations.”
CIRP also analyzed spending patterns by operating system. On that basis, Apple iOS customers continue spending more than Android buyers.
“iOS customers have higher carrier bills, spending more on voice, texts, and data than Android buyers,” said Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. “Over half of iOS buyers spend over $100 per month, compared to one-third of Android customers. And, about one quarter of Android customers spend under $50 per month, compared to only 7% of iOS buyers.”
“Apple clearly benefitted from launch of the iPhone 5S and 5C just a couple weeks before the quarter started,” said Josh Lowitz, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. “It increased its share considerably over the previous quarter, when it had only 34% of activations.”
CIRP also analyzed spending patterns by operating system. On that basis, Apple iOS customers continue spending more than Android buyers.
“iOS customers have higher carrier bills, spending more on voice, texts, and data than Android buyers,” said Mike Levin, Partner and Co-Founder of CIRP. “Over half of iOS buyers spend over $100 per month, compared to one-third of Android customers. And, about one quarter of Android customers spend under $50 per month, compared to only 7% of iOS buyers.”
Source: Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, LLC
MacDailyNews Take: “Bu, bu, but,” Joe Random Fragtard sputters, “what about the dregs of the world? Android still rules there!”
Yes, Joe, wherever “cellular networks” are two cans tied together with a piece of string and Wi-Fi is but a mythical dream, pretend iPhones for third-worlders do so rule.
Related articles:
Customer value, engagement, and affluence: The numbers Apple’s using to show Android is a second-tier platform – January 30, 2014
Apple iPhones are the top 9 selling smartphones in Japan – December 8, 2013
Not a typo: Apple’s iPhone 5s and 5c took 76% of new smartphone sales in Japan in October – November 27, 2013
Test proves Apple iPhone users are smarter than those who settle for other handsets – January 2, 2014
Apple’s iOS is clearly winning the battle for mobile consumers’ time and money – December 10, 2013
Apple iOS developers earn five times the revenue per download of Android developers – November 29, 2013
Android users poorer, shorter, unhealthier, less educated, far less charitable than Apple iPhone users – November 13, 2013
What we mean by ‘Hee Haw demographic’ – November 13, 2013
IDC data shows two thirds of Android’s 81% smartphone share are cheap junk phones – November 13, 2013
Yankee Group: iPhone ownership in the U.S. will top Android by 2015 – April 26, 2013
CIRP: Apple iPhone users are younger, richer, and better educated than those who settle for Samsung knockoff phones – August 19, 2013
Twitter heat map shows iPhone use by the affluent, Android by the poor – June 20, 2013
iPhone users smarter, richer than Android phone users – August 16, 2011
Yankee Group: Apple iPhone owners shop more, buy more, remain more loyal vs. other device users – July 20, 2010
iPhone owners more likely to pay for digital content – November 26, 2009
Study: Apple iPhone users richer, younger, more productive than other so-called ‘smartphone’ users – June 12, 2009
Apple iPhone users buy many more apps, surf the Web much more than other ‘smartphone’ users – March 27, 2009
Especially considering that “Android” is actually several different OSs made by several different makers, that is quite good.
I would like to see Horace do a chart on the several flavors of android, that would be colorful.
Eventually, a majority of consumers insist on buying what really works best.
When the majority of consumer still run Windows XP your statement kinda rings hollow.
Well, only sort of darknite. Notice that running Windows XP means REFUSING to use Window Vista, Windows 7ista, and Windows 8. That’s an F grade from users for the three latest versions of Windows.
Maybe there is an iota of taste amidst Windows victims.
To picture mobile OS fragmentation, this contribution by Fidlee is a thing of great beauty and drama:
http://www.fidlee.com/android-support-vs-ios-support/
MDN should have this link in it’s arsenal and use it frequently… Thanks for the link.
Great chart. It makes it clear why iOS is a better choice for more than casual users. Most folks who own Android seem to barely use them.
In spite of being hated, iOS 7 sure found a home, and quickly.
Maybe it’s not really hated, then?
I know! I think iOS 7s detractors find fault in some aspect to the OS but don’t mind bashing the entire package.
Right. It’s understandable that not everyone is going to like everything about an OS, but the iOS detractors scream as if the entire thing is bad.
Sorry guys but this is so ridiculous that I have to react.
First… When discussing market shares I always heard, here at MDN, that looking at market shares doesn’t make sense. But OK… As I’ve never agreed with that statement let’s look at that “revolution”.
First… These numbers are not worldwide but only US numbers. The US market is Apple’s home turf. If there is one market where Apple has always performed well it’s there. If you want real numbers look at Apple’s worldwide growth (compared or not to its opponents)
Second… Seriously… Have you all missed that or do you just want to ignore it:
CIRP bases its findings on its survey of US subjects that activated a new or used mobile phone in OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2013.
The 5S has been released on September 20!
In short… You brag about having a better market (2%) share (Activations) in Apple’s “home market” just in the exact timeframe where a long awaited product reaches shelves.
Wow… Just wow…
“Sorry guys but this is so ridiculous that I have to react.”
Who cares about MDN’s opinions or definitions about marketshare? Everyone living outside the US, is experiencing a flawed and degraded iPhone/iPad experience.
Only US consumers have access to it “all”. What the rest of the world is doing with Apple products doesn’t concern me, because it can’t be good.
Are you this passionate about things that really matter?
And no, PS4 vs Xbox One doesn’t count either.
Relax a little, the numbers are what they are (and will change from time to time), and MDN’s take is just their own snarky opinion. I hope you don’t lose any sleep over it.
none of these stats take into account that me and many of my friends still are using our iPhone 4 and 4S and that our android friends have each gone through 3-4 handsets during this time.
I think the true US breakdown of all existing activated phones is more likely 64% iPhone / 28% android / 8% other smartphone.
This is nuts. I keep hearing EVERYWHERE that Android is overcoming and leaving iOS in the dust.
Analysts wouldn’t lie……………would they?
After all the dust from the iOS vs Android warz has settled, let’s deal with this question:
Q: Where would Android be if Google and Samsung hadn’t ripped off Apple?
A: NO WHERE.
Crime may pay in this case, but ALL the credit goes to APPLE. Deal with it.