Feature Article

Free eNews Subscription>>
May 06, 2014

Android Rules Developing Markets in Q1 2014 Study Results

The mobile device market as a whole is one that's constantly in flux, but certain key trends start to become clear after a little while. One of the biggest, as revealed by a new study out from ABI Research, is that when it comes to mobile devices in developing markets, it's Android all the way, and the rest of the market is fighting for second place.

The study in question, titled “Smartphones and Handsets Market Research,” takes a closer look at the field of smartphones and similar mobile devices, and the key point of Android's dominance became quickly evident. Indeed, in the first quarter of 2014, Android devices represented 80 percent of the market share, which in turn represented just short of 300 million total smartphones shipped in the quarter.  That by itself was a pretty big point to note, but what's perhaps even more interesting was the total market distribution. ABI Research's senior practice director for mobile devices, Nick Spencer, described how the basic mobile phone market lost five percent market share in the first quarter of 2014, and nearly all of those users migrated to Android devices.

Spencer further noted that there are still plenty of users out there who have yet to make the jump to smartphones, and for the most part, many of these users will go from the basic mobile phone directly to Android devices. This won't be the case in all users, of course—there are still other breeds of smartphone out there including perennial popular releases from Apple, as well as BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices—but for the most part, Android seems primed to sweep developing markets.

Indeed, the also-rans in this market are making some gains as well. For instance, Windows Phone picked up not only sequential growth of 16 percent, but a full one percent gain in market share, leading Spencer to declare Microsoft's entrant “...currently the only viable third ecosystem.” Spencer further noted the current states of both BlackBerry and Firefox systems, stating that “BlackBerry has faded on all fronts...” and calling Firefox a “...potential low-cost challenger...” which “...has yet to make any significant impact.”

Granted, Firefox hasn't exactly been on the scene for very long, and it's easy to remember how more than a few people said much the same thing about Windows Phone when it first rolled out. Firefox might well have an advantage in its cost structure—Spencer notes that low-cost component of Firefox's overall makeup—but Firefox may have a tough time breaking in on the market that Android has already been making great strides in for the last few years now. As was the case with Windows Phone, however, if Firefox can demonstrate a value that's a match for Android, and even present a few new points in its favor, it may well be able to break into that market effectively. Additionally, BlackBerry is hardly out of action just yet, thanks to the success of BlackBerry Messenger and an upcoming potential VoIP service that could be added to same.

Only time will tell how the developing markets ultimately shape up when it comes to smartphone adaptation, but it's a reasonably safe bet that Android will be leading the way for some time to come. The cost effectiveness of it, the name recognition it enjoys, and the several years' worth of head start it enjoys in the field should make competing against it a difficult proposition, but one that's potentially very rewarding.




Edited by Maurice Nagle


FOLLOW MobilityTechzone

Subscribe to MobilityTechzone eNews

MobilityTechzone eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the Wireless industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter