Nielsen: Apple passed RIM to take top U.S. smartphone spot in October

By on Dec 1, 2010 at 9:29 AM
mobile December 1, 2010

According to Nielsen’s numbers for October 2010, Apple’s iOS has passed RIM’s BlackBerry OS to become the most popular smartphone operating system currently in use in the U.S. The data jibes with both Canalys and NPD Group, which also put Apple in the No.1 smartphone spot in October. Nielsen’s Q3 market share data showed RIM with 30% and Apple with 28% of the market. After the first month of Q4, Apple holds 27.9% of the market and RIM sits close behind with 27.4%. Both companies lost market share to Google, which jumped from 19% to 22.7% in October. Considering Android’s rapid growth rate — which shows no signs of slowing — it’s a safe bet that Apple’s reign will be short-lived. At its current pace, Android should overtake the No. 1 position sometime in the first quarter of 2011.

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  • http://twitter.com/mistercarter7 Mike Gonzalez

    good job Apple!

    • Drbyers69

      for now…

  • mike

    Apple’s closed ecosystem sandbox approach will fail. It’s only a matter of time. PC vs. Mac proved this in the 80′s and Apple never learned their lesson. Open systems, in general, will always win. It’s only a matter of time.

    • numetheus

      Actually it’s being proven that this closed system is winning, at least on the mobile space. Windows Mobile has always been an open system and look at what happened to it. It’s last in line when it comes to smartphone systems and has a very poor app economy. Apple app economy has grown to be the biggest one in the mobile market. Windows Phone 7 is a closed system because Microsoft has realized it works. Remember the mobile device market is NOT the same as the desktop market. If a completely open system works every time, why is Linux not on top?

      • http://twitter.com/atlharry Harold Min

        And once, as stated in the article, android takes over the lead in market share? What will be your explanation for that?

        BTW, you just got finished stating that the mobile device market is NOT the same as the desktop market and then asked why Linux wasn’t on top… Because it’s not a mobile device OS? You should follow your own advice and not bring desktop OSs into the comparison.

      • numetheus

        I’m sure Android will take the lead eventually. But if it does, it won’t be because the general population thinks it is more open than the former. It will be because the phone is nice, the interface rocks, and the notification system is second to none. Oh and not to mention the apps that are available. Your average person on the street will not think to themselves … “Gee I really love my Android phone because it is more open than iOS.” That type of thinking is reserved for tech geeks. Tech geeks do not account for a majority of smartphone users now a days. Grandma Smith and Cheerleader sue rock them now a days.

      • Anonymous

        Well, Linux is -close- to being on top in the mobile device market. Just add up the Palm, Android, and Linux figures and the total is within a percentage point of iOS. I don’t think Android is how anyone in the Linux community wanted Linux to be used, though…

      • numetheus

        You know it runs Linux, I know it runs Linux. While we all know the Linux kernel is what they all run, the average person doesn’t know that. I will bet any number of dollars that if you took the average consumer and ask them what the underlying kernel is, they would not know what the hell you are talking about. Most will just know it is Android … just … Android. And others will think Google runs their phone.

      • Anonymous

        By your argument, Windows Mobile won over PalmOS bc PalmOS was closed and couldn’t evolve quick enough vs WM’s more scalable openness.

        Apple is doing well bc of better execution (as PalmOS originally had) but still is loosing to the WM-style openness and broad momentum in Android.

      • numetheus

        Apple is doing well for two reason. The execution of the OS ESPECIALLY when it first came out, and the app store. I have been running mobile systems ever since my Psion days, and I run more apps now a days because I can get them in one place easily without having to plug it into my computer. With the old Winmo, I had to run the installer on my desktop or extract it somehow and ran the cab from storage. The average person doesn’t want to deal with this. The closed nature of the app store .. everything in one place and untethered (not requiring a desktop) is what really made the iOS app economy shine.

        And while there were web repositories like handmark, it just isn’t as efficient as an app store. Microsoft is going to this app store model as well because it works.

    • Anonymous

      Defining “winning”. Is being the largest tech company (by market cap) failing? Did the iPod fail because of its “closed” nature?

  • WTF

    Now the Haters are gonna hate.
    But good job apple

  • Len

    If you’re going to post this, you should also post about BlackBerry overtaking iOS in web usage in the United States for the month of November according to a study by StatCounter.

  • Guest

    Technically, Apple didn’t pass RIM. Both RIM and Apple lose market share to Android, so RIM lost more marketshare than Apple causing it to drop below Apple. Apple is now #1, but I think it would have been more honorable to surpass RIM on a gain rather than a “better than expected” loss.

    All a matter of perspective, but does it really matter to the average user? If you have an apple, be happy. If you have a blackberry, be happy. They are all fruit to me.

  • Digitaltouch

    Android what!!!! I gave android a chance, I had the epic 4G, i checked out the market There open source is a mess. The operating system needs to be improved. Apple has a closed garden but that garden is smoother then a baby ass. Everything just works plan and simple. Killer battery, killer apps and a smooth web experience. Then ya wonder and cry how come there killing everyone else. The fruit has been bitten and everyone is going down.

    • DTownTony

      what do you mean Android what? It took iOS how many years to catch up to RIM while its going to take Android a couple more months.

      • Anonymous

        Most people with Androids have them because they don’t want to switch to AT&T…if iPhones were on different carriers, I think alot more people would purchase them.

      • DTownTony

        is that what Steve Jobs tells you to think?

  • Roguefromnyc

    As I read the tweet in twitter I knew Zach published this post. I think I’m starting to grow annoyed at your stupid posts. Do you Google “apple takes #1″ and just publish whatever u find? I’m done with u and this site. Good job in letting this pompous apple cheer leader ruin ur integrity. Its unfollow and delete bookmark time. When I hear u guys are back to reporting real tech news and not stupid cheerleader news ill be back but till then.

    • Anonymous

      so reporting news from a tech report on mobile os is somehow not “real” tech news. Is it somehow not news because apple is leading for now? if you check this tech site and many others they usually report this info when it becomes available and they have been doing this for YEARS. so you will be deleting almost all your tech site bookmarks.

      • Len

        Agree, but where’s the report from BGR on BB surpassing iOS for web usage in the States?

      • Anonymous

        probably because that report is not from a company as respected as nielson and probably simply no one really believes that report when there are other reports conflicting the information.

      • DTownTony

        They could also report about BlackBerry 6 earning FIPS Security Certification for U.S. Government Agencies…..or is that not important or respected enough? I’m sure if iOS earned it this site would have report after report of iOS overtaking BBs in the government and blah blah blah just call a spade a spade, this site is iPhone-centric, its ok to be that, but don’t deny it. all it needs is a virtual turtle neck…

    • Anonymous

      Wow, grow up. Its not news because you don’t like it?

      • Roguefromnyc

        Therez a response button for a reason and I used it. If u don’t like what I wrote u grow up and move on. Is it because I’m bashing something u love that I need to grow up? Yet u feel grown up enough to tell me to grow up lol f outta here

  • http://twitter.com/FrankJL9 Frank lopez

    Good! stale companies that lack innovation should be pushed to the side to rot or until they figure out away to WOW the crowd again.

    And BB releasing the same phone design for the last 5 years with a lack of anything is not innovative. That blackberry keyboard can only hold you for so long LOOSERS!

    • Jbutler

      Don’t get me wrong I’m off my Blackberry supporting at this point but while Blackberry may not innovate at this point that is a bad statement to go with if you’re attempting to support iPhone. Nearly all of the “innovative new” features Apple added to its iPhone4 have been present in Blackberry for years, and All of the features they added have been present in the likes of Android and Palm as well. They did innovate a radical new antennae design but from what I’ve read that didn’t work out so well for them.

  • Anonymous

    Of the MS phones, how many are WP7 devices? Just interested as I know MS is spending a ton of marketing but I’ve yet to see anyone with one.

    • http://twitter.com/dnyabuti Dickens Nyabuti

      They are great. I bought the HD7 from T-Mobile and I actually prefer it over my Droid 2. The only downside as was with Android a while back is the thin marketplace.

  • Anonymous

    I find it hard to believe honestly because “everyone” keeps suggesting that Android is taking over. You know, they have 100 or so devices running Android. Apple sells two versions of their phone. So I am to believe that Apple is no only outselling each individual Android device but the collective also? Okay, not so surprised, move along nothing to see here.

    I mentioned last month that Android had hit it’s peak. No one believed me but that in no way suggests I was wrong. I want to introduce a couple of factions:

    Amiga users meet Android users, Android users meet Amiga users. Now, both of you go play in the corner quietly.

    • Jbutler

      Apple has been consistently LOSING Marketshare each quarter for the past 3 consecutive quarters whereas Android has been gaining large chunks of marketshare For the past Several consecutive quarters. Your statement about the iPhone outselling individual Android handsets is obviously correct but where in the hell do you get collectiveley esepcially considerring Android phones have OUTSOLD iPhone every quarter this year INCLUDING the quarter in which Apple unveiled it’s iPhone4. Android Peaked? Not likely. It will continue to outsell Apple as it offers choices of both formfactor, hardware, pricepoint, and carrier while at this point offering every feature of iOS with several notable features Apple has yet to add. Several holes in your argument you see. Know the facts before you allow your blind Apple devotion to post baseless junk like this.

      • Anonymous

        With so many devices shipping with Android what is taking so long?

    • C2winc

      I guess you didn’t read the end of the article? lol

      “Both companies lost market share to Google, which jumped from 19% to 22.7% in October. Considering Android’s rapid growth rate — which shows no signs of slowing — it’s a safe bet that Apple’s reign will be short-lived. At its current pace, Android should overtake the No. 1 position sometime in the first quarter of 2011.”

      • Anonymous

        Another person who hasn’t been online this year until today. This has been said for every quarter this year. Fact is, why is it taking so long. Android has peaked, had it not the platform would be number one by now worldwide. There are so many devices shipping with the OS, yet they are positions back of the front. Strange.

      • C2winc

        Whats taking so long? Are you kidding? Gartner originally believed it would take until 2012 for Android to be #1, now they’re saying by early 2011. If anything, Android has moved faster than anyone anticipated. You’re obviously an apple fanboy, that’s OK, but to claim that android has “peaked” is nothing more than an uneducated opinion. Face the FACTS, android is here to stay.

      • Jbutler

        Android went from 2% of the market to nearly 23% in just 12 months time. What the hell are you talking about saying why is it taking so long. That is an incredible pace. Apple had a 2 year headstart and the blind apple sheeple who will buy any product with a lowercase i on it regardless of how little added functionality it affords them. And Android has been handily outselling iPhone for these quarters it isn’t merely speculation your claims of this being proven false are completely baseless. Know the facts before you speak.

    • Dario69

      Lame comeback. I guess you didn’t read the end where it states Android is going to surpass Apple next quarter. I know, I know, A Zach article pretty much guarantees an Apple polish job but the devil is in the details.

      • Anonymous

        Clearly you haven’t read the rest of the internet because every quarter this year everyone speculates that Apple lost to Android for that quarter, only to find out that it wasn’t true.

        Your happiness that this is “going” to happen is on the side of hilarity. Why has it not happened yet has been my question for a year now. There are at least 100 devices world wide shipping with some fragmented flavor of Android and yet Apple is still holding on with two devices.

        Says quite a bit about a platform doesn’t it?

  • Anon

    According to their numbers, 5900 people indicated that they had a smartphone. So why does the breakdown only contain data of 4889 users? These surveys are wacky.

  • Dario69

    It must have been very painful for Zach to add that comment about Android at the end. Very painful. But at least he did otherwise this would have been another cheerleader post for Apple void of any real journalism.

  • FiddleFaddle

    Wait until January…the iPhone is going to crush those numbers into oblivion. AT&T has sold roughly 22 million iPhones in 3 years. Initial numbers see another 9-10 million sold on Verizon in ONE year.

    • Anonymous

      How much will AT&T refugees instead? You can’t discount that.

  • Frank

    No one will argue that Android is gaining marketshare. It is easy to do if when you release multiple products on every carrier. Let’s see what happens when the Iphone becomes available on Verizon. The Iphone does well now on a single carrier. Apple will definitely become the market leader if/when the Iphone is available on Verizon.

  • pepper

    i read the headline and thought it be a mindblowing defeat for RIM.

    but .5%?

    the margin of error for this pie chart surpasses that.

  • http://twitter.com/brswa Brandon

    The more RIM talks sh*t, the more successful Apple becomes. The “distortion field” continues to grow and couldn’t be happier for them.

  • Mritalian76

    @ mike ya apples failing. Are you kidding me haters will hate. They have the lead and it will only grow more next year. This is 2010 not 1980. And Mac sales are up. Pc will win because they are cheap.

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