#Android Becomes UK’s “most used smartphone OS”

Android is doing very well for Google.  Currently it is mainly installed on smart phones, but recently it has been expanded to include pad-like units akin to the iPad, TVs and cameras.  In contrast to Apple, Google have embraced a more open model for Android making the system open source and allowing many variants of it to flower.  This approach has led to a wide adoption of the system by handset manufacturers (such as HTC, Sony Ericsson & Samsung) and so rapid penetration into the marketplace. Indeed this was accelerated by Google buying Motorola.

Back in the first half of 2010, 23% of new smart phones purchased in the US were iPhone, whereas 27% were Android units.  In the UK the changes in market share over 2009/2010 was about the same but Android was growing at a faster rate than iPhone sales.

So now we reach the predicted point where Android overtakes the iPhone.  It is another important point in the ongoing battle for smartphone supremacy (from Guardian):

Android has taken over from Apple and now has the largest share of the installed base of smartphones among consumers in the UK, according to new figures provided to the Guardian by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

Google’s mobile OS has a 36.9% share of the smartphones in use among consumers in the UK, the company says in its latest survey, which covers the four weeks to 23 January 2012.  Apple’s iPhone models have the next biggest share, with 28.5% of all handsets in use.  The company does not split out brands, but it is likely that Apple is the most-used brand, with Android sales split among brands including Samsung, HTC, LG and Motorola.

And here is how that looks:

UK smartphone installed base, by OS, January 2012. Source: Kantar Worldpanel ComTech

Note however that the iOS space is still worth more money as its users tend to spend more money per head than Android users.