A similar number of people intend to purchase Windows Phone 8 smartphones as have their sights set on iPhones, according to research. But Android remains the platform of choice for almost twice as many potential purchasers as those who intend to buy either iPhone or Windows Phone 8 handsets. This despite the recent launches of Windows Phone handsets such as the Nokia Lumia 920, and Apple's iPhone 5 launch.
Nearly twice as many people intend to buy an Android smartphone as an iPhone or Windows Phone 8 device, a poll says
A poll asked PC Advisor readers to respond to the following statement: 'Following the recent launches, my next smartphone will be'. Of the more than 3,250 respondents (at the time of writing) 40 percent selected 'An Android phone'. Both 'An iPhone' and 'A Windows Phone 8 device' attracted 22 percent of the vote. 'A BlackBerry' trailed in as the final platform option with just 4 percent of the votes, and 13 percent said they weren't intending to purchase a smartphone at this stage.
The news further underlines Google's dominance of the mobile world just five years after Android was first unveiled, and four years after the first Android phone was launched. Since the launch of the T-Mobile G1 Android has endured issues with device and app security, legal battles over licensing, and issues over platform fragmentation and upgrades for users. But its position as the inexpensive alternative to iPhone has seen it grow to dominate the smartphone world in terms of volume.
Smartphone market stats
In the third quarter of 2012, according to IDC, A total of 136 million Android smartphones shipped around the world. That's three quarters of all handsets shipped.
iOS is currently the second biggest player in the smartphone market, with around 15 percent market share according to IDC. When you consider that iPhones are almost always more expensive than their Android counterparts, this is an impressive stat. It becomes doubly so when you take into account the fact that Apple is competing alone against the combined marketing might of Google and tier-one hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC and Motorola. (The IDC Q3 figures will also be distorted by the fact that during the period covered many iPhone users were waiting for the iPhone 5 to launch in the final quarter of the year.)
But given that Windows Phone 8 has also only recently launched, the relative popularity of iPhone 5 and the Windows Phone 8 handsets is critical. Android may have the budget smartphone market sewn up, but Microsoft has invested a lot into Windows Phone 8, and handset makers are keen to be able to offer an alternative to Android and iOS at both budget and premium ends of the market. It seems unlikely that all three platforms can thrive indefinitely.
Intention to purchase are notoriously misleading, as customers will often change their minds up until the point of sale. And Windows Phone 8 has many hurdles to vault before it becomes established. But the fact that almost a quarter of respondents to the PC Advisor poll intend to purchase Windows Phone 8 devices suggests that at this early stage the WP8 launch has been a success.
(And BlackBerry has work to do.)
If you disagree with any of this, don't forget to have your say in the comments at the bottom of the article. And the poll remains open to votes: Vote now!
See also: Samsung Galaxy S3 best-selling smartphone ahead of Apple's iPhone.
Comments
sujeet said: koi baat nahi yaard
sujeet said: windows os is the best os in the world no android
Sharonconant said: I am a long-time Android user and have also spent enough time helping friends and co-workers with their iPhones to know I dont like them When I decided it was time to look for a new phone the new WP phones caught my eye I decided with much trepidation to go for something completely different and bought my new HTC 8X After 3 weeks with this phone I am just blown away with the incredibly beautiful OS so smooth seamless and deep It is truly beautiful The live tiles are such a vast improvement over boring static icons because they deliver real time information instead of just being something to press to get you to an app The apps available are very good and not buggy like Android Ill take quality over quantity any time Im very happy with my decision and dont think Im missing a thing My only regret is that I wanted a tablet and purchased an iPad right before the new Surface tablet came out - dang I wish Id waited
Lewis said: Who is RIM Jk now theres an example to learn from compete or get out
John Mercieca said: What platform is the best really is down to what you want to use it for Fun Open source with pages and pages of widgets Customisations Or are you looking for a buttery smooth OS with no lag and fluid performance with absolute consistency the latter probably being iOS and WP8 iOS is a VERY good OS but is quickly becoming that same since 2007 feeling where as WP8 offers something completely refreshing modern and new
ML4 said: I moved from Vodafone because of the dreadful service to T Mobile part of EE The coverage and speed is much better and with the Full Monty unlimited package for 26 per month you cant go wrong Using iPhone 4S too
Simon Jenkinson said: Really That is so insightful thank you i wont buy one now
Dave Granger said: Poor old RIM
Matt Egan said: Thought that myself Possibly For the record we have around 35m readers and around 600000 of then are using iPhones to read the site The number of WP8 users is negligible currently
Gerald said: I have the iPhone 4s and iPad 2 laptops In the next year would only consider buying a 7 tablet with full Win 8
Kurt said: Windows Phone 8 is great just a shame its only on EE I wont buy until it becomes available on vodafone
Johnstaniforth said: One question - are PC Advisor readers more skewed towards users of PCsWould this distort the results towards those with a simple jump for Windows whereas the is a demographic who have no interest in thatJust a thought - what do you think
Sandylls said: Wp sucks
Sandylls said:
keris said: Jeepers MS must be ecstatic at that result
Eadfasf said: yeah boii