According to the latest U.S. smartphone market share numbers from Parks Associates, Apple is still well in the lead compared to competing manufacturers, holding a beefy 40% of the smartphone market. But the latest figures also show that Android OEMs are gaining ground on the dominant Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker. Now, Samsung holds around 31% of the market and LG is next in line with 10%…
“Apple remains the dominant smartphone manufacturer in the U.S., but Samsung is catching up,” said Harry Wang, Director, Health & Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates.
In the United States at least, Samsung is clearly the Android OEM to beat. LG is less than one third the size of the Korean giant according to these numbers, and manufacturers like Motorola, HTC sit around 4-5% of the market. The “Other” category — which includes emerging manufacturers such as Huawei, OnePlus, and others — makes up about the same amount of the market as LG.
Also, while Apple is clearly in the lead among broadband households compared to any other hardware makers, it’s worth noting that the Android platform as a whole, which includes almost all manufacturers besides Apple, makes up around 60% of the pie.
The report also mentions a major shift in how people are upgrading their phones as carriers move away from two-year contracts.
“Operators are pulling out all the tricks to encourage phone upgrades,” Wang said. “The once-familiar two-year contract, which tied consumers to a two-year phone upgrade cycle, is gradually fading. U.S. carriers started to do away with two-year contracts in 2012, and by the third quarter of 2015, only 51% of mobile consumers had a contract, down from almost 70% at the end 2011.”
Market share looks a lot different when you look at the whole world, however. Q3 2015 numbers from Strategy Analytics show Apple in a distant second to Samsung, with marketshare at 13.6% and 23.7%, respectively. This is followed by Chinese electronics company Huawei at 7.5%, Lenovo at 5.3%, and Xiaomi at 5%.
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I can see why. Apple dropped the ball with the 6 series. When it cimes to larger phones, I was really tempted by the Samsung Note 5. They have more experience making larger phones and the Note 5 is by far is a nicer design, has nicer screen and better screen to device footprint compared to the preposterously humongous ridiculously designed 6 Plus. What happened to design excellence and attention to detail?
But it all came down to not dealing with malware and the safety of iOS. That is the one thing that Apple still has over it’s competitors. I am just waiting for the 7 series to see what Apple does with a larger phone. That of take the 4″ new 5se.
And I think Apple has to design each size individually based on it’s use-case. Each should not be carbon copies of each other, but made to benefit that particular use-case. The small being as capable, slim and compact as possible for people on-the-go. The medium being an all purpose design. The large having the est battery life and most capabilities to fit in the larger case without being preposterously humongous. The same way that the Macbook air is not a carbon copy of the Macbook Pro, but with a specific use case and consumer in mind for each.
I highly doubt that you will see independent designs of all models iPhones on the market. RP what exactly do you think they missed on the Plus series? You say the execution was not the best but list some issues you have with it.
@paulywalnuts23, I can probably answer that question since I use both the Note 5 and iPhone 6s Plus. First let me start by saying the iPhone 6s Plus is a really nice phone but I have a few issues with it. First its just a big phone, it doesn’t do anything to make use of the extra screen size. The Note 5 has a great multi-screen mode, the one handed mode it fantastic, I could go on talking about the extras especially the S-Pen but at least Samsung did more than just make an oversize version of the S6. My other complaint is the 6S Plus is massive it has 5.5″ screen and its much bigger the Note 5 that has a 5.7″ as a matter of fact my wife was joking that it bigger than the Note even when the Note has a case on it. The other thing is by itself the screen on the iPhone is awesome until you put it next to the Note 5. I use my iPhone more its just easier of business purposes but I have to say in my opinion the Note 5 is a better phone.
@paulywalnuts23 of course they will make independent designs per size, they are doing that now. It only makes sense that they be optimized and make each size exist on it’s strengths. The big problem with the 6 series is that it looks like all they did was blow up their bread and butter product bigger instead of thinking things through, Lazy. Besides how awful the phones themselves look, it was lazy. Apple will not stay on top for long if they continue releasing mediocre ill-conceived lazy products like the the 6 series for long.
I’ll cut Apple some slack because this is their first try at larger phones, but why would we need to cut Apple slack for? I see the recent decision to allow cracked and broken phones to be turned in for credit towards a new phone as an act of desperation to unload as many as these things as possible. To clear inventory on a product that isn’t moving now that the novelty of the “bigger iPhone” has worn off and people can see them without those beer goggles.
I think that when Apple came with a larger screen there were an increase in Android to iOS moves. I think it was a good idea, and matching screen sizes gave people that wanted larger screen a good or very good option.
Yes i agree 100%, but the execution was not the best. Again, lack of attention to the bigger picture and attention to detail.
‘humongous ridiculously designed 6 Plus’???? The 6 plus is the perfect for me in every aspect. Could not be happier, and no one I have met that purchased one has ever said they were not happy. Are you talking theoretically or you bought one and decided to not return it? Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one……
Check out the Note 5, then talk. Other than the malware that is Android running it, it is by FAR a better product compared to the ridiculous 6 Plus
How is it better RP please give details.
So RP owns a Note 5 and feels inadequate so he needs to troll.
@ paulywalnuts23 – Let me tell you how and why the Note 5 is a better product than the iPhone 6 Plus.
In terms of features, the Note 5 blows the iPhone 6+ out of the water and gives it a run for the money with its advanced features e.g. wireless charging (Qi and PMA – no other phone supports both), wireless fast charging (Qi), quick charge (wired), ultra power saving mode, advanced multitasking with split screen, advanced contact and email management, ability to program a text message to send on any day of your choice, ability to add company logo as signature in emails, better screen, screen themes, ability to cast a movie on your TV screen whilst using the phone independently to make/receive phone calls, check emails, browse, etc – whilst the movie is playing on your TV screen, more customization options, etc.
@ paulywalnuts23 – Let me tell you how and why the Note 5 is a better phone than the iPhone 6s Plus
In terms of features, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is not only better value for money, but it also blows the iPhone 6s Plus out of the water with its advanced features such as wireless charging (Qi and PMA – no other phone supports both), wireless fast charging (Qi), quick charge (wired), ultra power saving mode, advanced multitasking with split screen, advanced native contact and email management, ability to program a text message to send on any day of your choice, ability to add company logo as signature in emails, better screen ppi and screen-body ratio, screen themes, ability to cast a movie on your TV screen whilst using the phone independently to make/receive phone calls, check emails, browse, etc (whilst the movie is still playing on your TV screen), advanced customization options, etc.
Surprised Jerry didn’t add, lack of a stylist to his list.
So basically wireless charging, better multi-tasking and customization are your reasons, because you can add a logo to your sig. and the rest you state can be done with apps texting email and such that you mention, if that is what you need as a user.
@ paulywalnuts23 – You are right that I missed out some features including the stylus. There you go with the amended list.
In terms of features, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is not only better value for money, but it also blows the iPhone 6 Plus out of the water with its advanced features such as wireless charging (Qi and PMA – no other phone supports both), wireless fast charging (Qi), quick charge (wired), ultra power saving mode, advanced multitasking with split screen and pop-up window, advanced native contact and email management, ability to program a text message to send on any day of your choice, ability to add company logo as signature in emails, better screen ppi and screen-body ratio, screen themes, ability to cast a movie on your TV screen whilst using the phone independently to make/receive phone calls, check emails, browse, etc (whilst the movie is still playing on your TV screen), advanced customization options, direct call, smart alert, advanced NFC, and finally the S-Pen that takes the phone to another level not seen on any other phone (scroll capture, screen write with phone on/off, action memo with advanced character recognition, smart select, air view, air command, etc).
‘humongous ridiculously designed 6 Plus’????
@ Chris – When you put the 6 Plus close to the Note 5, you will then understand why he said so. You believe what you have is perfect until you try something else. So far, Apple has been very successful at “locking” its customers to the extent that they are completely oblivious to what’s going on around them. Kudos to Apple for doing that but let’s not forget that technology is advancing at a very fast rate and Apple has always proven to be a late adopter – think NFC, phablets, wireless charging, etc
Sorry Jerry but those things hardly make the Note 5 a better phone, perhaps just more confinement for certain users. However the complexity of Android and fragmentation and lack of or need for Security software puts it back behind the iPhone, IMO. Also having control of the software and hardware puts Apple way ahead of the game. Even Google is trying to get more control over there phone production so they can follow Apples lead in this area. There was just a article put out where the new Snap Dragon process that they putting out are still being out performed by the A9 chip so by all means enjoy your Note 5 but as far as thinking it is a superior phone, try again.
@ paulywalnuts23
“but those things hardly make the Note 5 a better phone, perhaps just more confinement for certain users.”
Sorry you are wrong here mate. These things mean a lot to many people and that’s why there was an uproar when the Note 5 was not released in the UK. I had to import mine simply because you won’t find its core features on any other phone – including the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus that was released instead. It is now stipulated the Samsung will bring back the Note 6 to the UK and not the Galaxy S7 Plus. So, your argument is very weak.
“However the complexity of Android and fragmentation and lack of or need for Security software puts it back behind the iPhone, IMO.”
Again this is your opinion as many people like myself DO NOT see any complexity with Android. This is just a myth created by Apple as anybody can make phone calls, message, send emails, etc on Android devices – bearing in mind that over 60% of phones in the world run Android. Fragmentation is to cater for all three market spheres i.e. low end, mid range and high end. Without fragmentation, you will hardly produce devices that can meet the requirements of these 3 markets. Do your research.
“Also having control of the software and hardware puts Apple way ahead of the game.”
Again, this is personal preference i.e. iOS vs Android. I personally hate Apple’s tight control. For example I can easily copy and paste a movie or song from my Surface Pro 3 to my Note 5 but you simply can’t do that on iPhones. I won’t even mention the much dreaded iTunes.
“Snap Dragon process that they putting out are still being out performed by the A9 chip” If you follow market trends, you’ll see that horse power in its own right means nothing. A good example is the iPad Pro that has a very powerful A9x chip but which unfortunately is limited by iOS and can’t run any powerful x86 softwares. What is the point in putting A9x on the iPhone 7s Plus (as an example), whereas it lacks common features such as wireless charging, quick charging, split screen multi-tasking, no microSD slot, Super AMOLED, ultrapower saving mode, advanced customisation/theming, etc?
From a practical standpoint, I have used the note series from Note 1 -> 3 -> 5 and I’ve NEVER had to deal with malware. So, I don’t know where you got your information from.
Android has come a long way. But it’s the reason why I switched to iPhone. That’s the one thing Apple still has over the competition as they are flailing elsewhere.
I’m sure android security will get better and better but right now it’s not there yet
@ RP – I’m interested in knowing what was the last android phone you owned for you to confidently suggest that android is not there yet.
My last ones were both from two years ago, A Motorola which i hated with a passion and a Samsung. Both on Verizon and both would would do crazy things and slow down and crash where I had to delete and factory reset them constantly to the point where i did not want to download ANY apps on them.. Whenever i would go to the internet, on the most innocuous of sites, I would be redirected to the play store to download a game almost constantly.
I finally had enough. Besides my concerns with safety, If those tacky widgets that people call “customization” is all that Android has going for it as differentiation, it was very easy to walk away form it and have never looked back. But like I say, I marvel at how nice the Note 5 is, as my girlfriend has one. But I’ll just wait out the iPhone 6 series and see what the the next bigger iPhone has to offer.
@ RP – 2 years in the tech world is a very long time – I can tell you that a lot has changed since then. Don’t be stuck in the past. The mistake many Android users make is that they buy low-end phones and when they face problems, they blame the ecosystem – I know of many such cases. We need to compare high-end with high-end and NOT low-end Android with high-end iPhones. If you want to know what modern phones look like, compare the Galaxy S6 with the iPhone 6s or the Note 5 with the iPhone 6s Plus. If you use both for a week, and are honest, you’ll see that the Note 5 completely obliterates the iPhone 6s Plus in terms of features.
This title is misleading, as anyone who is NOT in first place is always playing catch up. Ha! Update me when Apple is not in first place.
Unless they are widening their 1st place lead
At the end of the day I could care less who has the lead. What I do care about is the effort used by the competition to make me spend my hard earned money. I use both Apple and Android so to me I have no problems switching either way. I ultimately want a good phone and a good experience. This is my first year sticking with iphone 6s because I never have any issues with lag. It’s the fastest device I’ve used and I love having a updated phone. But if Apple screws me in anyway I will jump back to the competition.
If Samsung had a better policy with software updates I would still be using them because Samsung pay is better and I like Gear VR. And ultimately I like Android better than iOS. My issue is that I want a smaller device that is fast and receive timely updates. The 6S fits my requirement.
I stopped being a fanboy a year ago. I only criticize when I want OEM’s to listen and make better products. I call it tough love.
I find all these findings kind of schizophrenic, on one hand it was reported Samsung is losing sales and on the hand it is catching up with Apple.
So can we really believe whatever they put out like the constantly wrong guesses of the popularity of Apple products or they have a agenda to put out reports for the people who paid for the research.
Time for these research companies to stop testing the stupidity of the readers.