The global smartphone space has been dominated by two operating systems as of late. Android and iOS together accounted for 79% of the market in Q1 2012 and most other operating systems continue to lose market share. There has been little evidence so far that Microsoft’s Windows Phone would be able to compete against the leaders to date. That may finally be changing though.
Research firm Kantar WorldPanel has found that Windows Phone is starting to get some traction in a number of markets. Much of this recent success is attributed to Nokia’s Lumia smartphones. For example, it found that Windows Phone’s market share in Germany has grown to 6% in Germany and showed growth in Britain, France, Italy and the U.S. as well. Growth came primarily at the expense of Symbian and BlackBerry devices. According to Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director:
“There are strong signs that WP7 Nokia handsets are starting to make an impact on the European smartphone market though US sales, where the Nokia brand is weaker, remain underwhelming. The fact that WP7 sales have overtaken Symbian based on one handset is encouraging; however, Nokia will need to expand the range quickly in order to keep up with the slew of next generation competitor products being launched in quarter two.”
Apple and Google may not have much to worry about yet but the news is encouraging to the Windows Phone camp. It also is a sign of the tough road ahead for Research In Motion and its upcoming BlackBerry 10 operating system.
Read more: Kantar WorldPanel (Source: Reuters)