NPD: Android is now top-selling OS in American smartphones
By Vlad Savov 
posted August 4th 2010 10:46AM
posted August 4th 2010 10:46AM
Disclaimer: NPD's Ross Rubin is a contributor to Engadget.
The NPD Group: Motorola, HTC drive Android to Smartphone OS lead in the U.S.
Android now installed in one of every three smartphones sold at retail. BlackBerry OS share drops 9 points to 28 percent.
PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, August 4, 2010 - Riding the wave of new handset introductions and wide carrier distribution in the second quarter (Q2), the Android smartphone operating system (OS) continued its upward climb in the U.S. consumer mobile phone market, according to The NPD Group, a leading market research company. For the first time since the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2007, RIM fell to second position, as Android took the lead among operating systems in handsets sold to U.S. consumers. NPD's latest wireless market research reveals that Android accounted for 33 percent of all smartphones purchased in Q2, ahead of RIM (28 percent) and Apple (22 percent).
"For the second consecutive quarter, Android handsets have shown strong but slowing sell-through market share gains among U.S. consumers," said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. "While the Google-developed OS took market share from RIM, Apple's iOS saw a small gain this quarter on the strength of the iPhone 4 launch."
Based on U.S. consumer purchases of mobile phones in Q2, the top 5 Android smartphones were as follows:
Motorola Droid
HTC Droid Incredible
HTC EVO 4G
HTC Hero
HTC Droid Eris
"Blackberry 6 will soon offer features that have been popular in recently launched Android handsets, such as support for capacitive touchscreens and a WebKit-based browser. However, the Blackberry Torch lacks the large screen allure that has characterized the best selling Android devices at its price point, including the Droid Incredible and EVO 4G," Rubin said.
Model selection and promotions continue to play a role in the race for carrier dominance. According to NPD's Mobile Phone Track, Verizon Wireless has maintained its lead among top carriers for the last three quarters comprising a third (33 percent) of the units sold in the U.S. mobile phone market in Q2, followed by AT&T (25 percent), Sprint (12 percent), and T-Mobile (11 percent). In Q2 Verizon Wireless continued their buy-one-get-one (BOGO) offers on all smartphones, including both RIM and Android models.
In spite of an overall decline in the number of mobile phones purchased year over year, the ongoing popularity of both messaging phones and smartphones, which are generally more costly than standard feature phones, resulted in slightly higher prices for all mobile phones in Q2. The average selling price for all mobile phones reached $90, which is a 3 percent increase since Q2 last year. Smartphone unit prices, by comparison, averaged $143 in Q2 2010, which is a 9 percent decrease over the previous year.
Data Note: The information in this press release is from Mobile Phone Track – NPD's consumer tracking of U.S. consumers, aged 18 and older, who reported purchasing a mobile phone. NPD does not track corporate/enterprise mobile phone purchases.
@loadoftoad
Your totally right, but in the long run Apple have managed to create an exclusive brand with huge profits that betray their market share against Windows, though iPod,iPhone and iTunes must help.
Maybe that's what Apple are looking to do with the iPhone in the long run (though I'm no fortune teller). And they still have the ipod touch in support to keep things going.
@scoobydooby There was a report out that 30-34% of iPhone 4 subscribers were new to i4 and AT&T. Pretty good if you ask me. Sounds like both platforms are doing AOK.
@Northwest I think you should read a JD Power survey before confusing Honda and Jaguar.
iDiots do it all the time with poor analogies about Mercedes and Toyotas never grasping that Jaguars and Mercs break down all the time while Toyotas and Hondas last for years.
@kstagg Q3 will also see Samsung Galaxy, Droid X, and continued Evo sales.
@Metaluna That's basically the most insightful comment I've seen on Engadget in a while...
@Superbelt Shouldn't this be "Breaking"?
@scoobydooby while that is probably what is happening. The name of the game is getting more people on your platform. Loyal nerd make powerful mods and apps but you still need sales numbers to grow
@scoobydooby @DonClark - Not true about your comments that If the iPhone made it to all major carriers, there would be no Android. Look outside your country at other markets. For example in Australia the iPhone *HAS* been on ALL carriers plus you have the option to buy outright from apple store for many years. In these markets Android it still selling and has a very good share. All major carriers now have multi android handsets for sale. The samsung galaxy s is selling like hotcakes here!
Its about choice... People are getting sick of apple telling them what they can and can't do!
@DonClark
You can't really say it was Apple's Biggest Mistake to only use AT&T. It's quite..quite.. quite possible that it was not their decision but AT&T's. Remember, Verizon turned them down.. and had AT&T done the same...there would probably be no iPhOnE... at least the way it is today. so in a way, Apple owes everything to AT&T.
@loadoftoad
This is what I've been saying for years. The iPhone is a great phone but it will not be the overall leader for years to come because they don't support an open market. It is a very closed off environment and what ultimately makes it a niche product. Phones are not computers you can't establish yourself on legacy hardware or infrastructure because people are up for new phones every 2 years and they are not tied to applications.
@uckApple
Haha I don't think the media really cares what people think the number 1 smartphone is.
@Wesscoast You should listen to your fearless leader--
“One thing I’ve learned is that when there’s a successful organization, people want to tear it down….It’s happening to Google now. Google’s a great company, but people are tearing them down."
Steve Jobs, at Apple press conference addressing the iPhone antenna problems.
@uckApple So they are using standard Apple tactics then. Got it.
@Blizaine
I agree, competition is good for us users.
I also bought the iPhone4 (have had iphone 3/3GS before) after comparing it with HTC Desire and X10.
I got to say iPhone is still the king when it comes to touch and sensitivity (the feeling). also the AppStore is much more matured compared to Android market.
I actually bought the X10 mini as my party phone and i'm not that impressed by Android. Its slow and sometime dont react to the touch. Settings are also scattered around a bit.
All and all i think iPhone is a more mature product and with iPhone4 it simply is the best phone in my opinion. The screen, speed, camera, and the whole simplicity of use and above all the fact that we get updated constantly without the need to wait 6 month for updates through operators makes it the best choice today.
I'm looking forward to Nexus 2 to see if the future Android releases will make some improvement.
@fourthletter
You missed my point. I'm not saying one is better than the other. I was saying that they're market strategies are different, so it makes them hard to compare when only looking at one statistic, such as units sold.
BMW's have terrible service history but people buy them regardless because of the brand/image associated with them. Despite the attenna flaw on the iPhone 4, people bought them and continue to line up to get one. Whether Android is made better is irrelevant. People don't buy from spec sheets. You don't buy a car because of the amenities or horsepower, etc, you buy it based on emotion -- how it makes you feel. Horsepowe alone doesn't detenine how fast a car is, just like processor size in a phone doesn't determine how good of an experience it gives you. Same with megapixels related to photo quality. People don't buy based on specs.
@HotFuzz Too bad I'm not tired of it. Android FTW!!!
@Joao Cagao good points. But it remains to be seen if MS can actually do the numbers with WP7. There are three main challenges for MS,
1) WP7 isn't quite as open as WinMo. it's a hybrid of WinMo and iOS leaning more towards iOS in terms of minimal customization options and skin support with a locked down environment controlled by MS
2) WP7 is coming late to the party after MS's scorched earth policy with WinMo. By the time we see the first WP7 devices, Android 2.2 will be on many different handsets across different carriers and Android 3.0 will be around the corner. Android 2.2 is one of the best mobile OS ever made. MS would have to fire on all cylinders and have a superb launch that's damn near flawless to take away from the greatness of 2.2. Not to mention 3.0.
3) Apps, Apple still rules that arena and will for quite some time. But Android's Marketplace has some true gems and a number of robust apps that can't be found in the Apple Marketplace (due to Apple's insane policies, not because of lack of developer interest) Android is the only mobile OS that can even begin to challenge Apple in this aspect. WP7 simply won't have the apps to compete in the short term and unless something drastic changes in the next year or so, I don't see this changing in MS's favor at all.
@tute
Don't count your eggs just yet. If Verizon and T-mobile pick up the iPhone things might change. I was gifted an iPhone while I was using G1, I am supporting G1 on the principle of open source but things just works on the iPhone. I am giving android time and with the way things are going, I can guarantee you that this time next year apple will have to pull something seriously good out of their @ss to keep me around.
grats to android. competition is good.
after having an android phone for barely a month and seeing the top apps in the android marketplace being absolutely horrible, i switched back and now have an iphone 4. love it.
@Theli In enterprise markets Linux has been wildly successful.
@hiphopsded :
>>>>When you release a Phone Everyday, there's no reason you shouldn't be on top.
I guess Its the same as how iPhone sells because there are so many weak minded fools in this world who are easily manipulated by Steve Jobs as compared to intelligent people.
@Red Rover Who's fault is it there is only one iPhone on one carrier? Apple.
@scoobydooby You make a good point but not exactly spot on. There wouldn't be "no android" if the iPhone was on other carriers. The world is bigger than the USA, infact the European Market is much bigger and much more advanced when it comes to Mobile Phones (probably the only market which is =P). In the UK, the iPhone is on ALL networks, including Three which normally doesn't get many phones and even Tesco Mobile. Android is still growing over here.
The reason are companies like HTC, Sony Ericsson and Samsung. You wouldn't beleive how much the Desire, X10 and Galaxy have been advertised over here. Not only that, not everyone want's an iPhone some people are "loyal to brands" and will only go for a Sony Ericsson or a Nokia.
@kstagg
It's true that a lot of people were waiting in Q2 for the iPhone4 release, but since the iPhone4 was also released in Q2, that is a pretty invalid point.
@DonClark im an android lover my self and there are a lot of people who only would have an android phone but every other normal consumer that has an android phone would prefer the iphone but there stuck with there company and they cant get it... i think what apple should do is when there contract is up with att i would get the iphone on all carriers. they would by far be the best in sale over all the other smartphone os's.
Oh no. This is bad. Wait, no it's not. I have Android! and iOS. Blackberry FTL.
I sense a disturbance in the force, as if Steve Jobs is preparing to go on a rampage
@Lord Vader
I think you mean temper-tantrum.
@Lord Vader
Go android go!
Use the force, Google.
@Lord Vader
I wish there was a special spot on Steve Jobs one could apply the death grip to, so we won't have to hear his inevitable backlash discrediting this claim...
@Lord Vader
May be a new video on why the bigger screen is a bad choice and will not sell.
@element4life3 A proton torpedo down the exhaust port should do.
@Lord Vader That disturbance you feel is Obi Wan pulling your Pud.
@NewBie
Because its a truck, and everyone wants one of those dumb little smartcars. Yep steve called it.
@leefox Aaaaaahhhhhhhh.... more pud, less FUD.
@Lord Vader
Steve Jobs is making enormous amounts of money.
Google is burning cash at astronomic speeds.
It's tough to declare a winner.
@vangrieg The force agrees with your logic
@Lord Vader
As Android owners, Steve Jobs finds our lack of faith - disturbing.
@Lord Vader
Yes, his rampage (tantrum) will be the shocking unveiling of a new iPhone within 6 months, not the usual yearly update. This will be to (non-publicly) admit the errors of his ways and thinking. I see 4" iPhone in no time.
@Lord Vader The reality distortion field is breaking down, long live the droid army!
@Lord Vader
I think his phone is still selling ok. Don't worry.
i love Android, but this is like the forth time we've heard Android No1 than shot down by some random research.
the Droid Saga Continues
Not so fast ....
Next iPhone 5 will have 4.3" and Steve Jobs will call it REVOLUTIONARY, MAGICAL ...
Of course, user is required to hold the phone in a specific way.
@ewlung
Old joke is old.
@ewlung
How is your comment of any relation to an article about OS market share?!
You know, it is a little fun (sometimes) to poke at a company that you don't like, but commenting and mentioning them in a way that doesn't make any sense just for the sake of being a smarty pants is pure stupidity.
@ewlung yawn
@ewlung
Haven't heard that one before.
@Fishbulb2020
You prolly deserve a downrank for your over the top old worn out joke, but I think you're definitely correct, the next iPhone will have at least a 4" screen.
I also believe this will happen sooner than the yearly iPhone update; not to replace the iPhone 4, but to sell along side of it. Jobs clearly put his foot in his mouth with that "no one wants a big screen phone" comment.
@Dank Dillweed
Yes, and they will also have to include widgets. Icons on the home screen is so 90's.
I can not wait for iPhone to have widgets and see all the iPhone fanboys claim it is the first real way to do widgets, and say "Steve Jobs was so was correct".
Well done Google. Now, aim for the world.
The best phone OS I've ever used in my life, the potential is limitless.