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Android still powers more than half of all smartphones sold in the U.S.

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:31PM EST
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Market research firm comScore on Wednesday released the results of its latest survey that found Android is still the most popular mobile operating system in the United States by a wide margin. For the three-month period ending in June, the survey found that 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices. Samsung (005930) was the top handset manufacturer with an overall market share of 25.6%, followed by LG (066570) with an 18.8% share of the market. Apple (AAPL) had a 15.4% market share, while Motorola and HTC (2498) controlled 11.7% and 6.4% of the market, respectively.

The survey also found that more than 110 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones. Google’s (GOOG) Android operating system remained the top mobile platform, accounting for 51.6% of smartphone subscribers, while Apple’s iOS captured 32.4% of the market and Research in Motion’s (RIMM) share fell to 10.7%. Rounding out the group was Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows Phone operating system and Symbian with 3.8% and 0.9%, respectively. ComScore’s press release follows below.

comScore Reports June 2012 U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share
U.S. Smartphone Market Tops 110 Million Subscribers in June

RESTON, VA, August 1, 2012 – comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending June 2012. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 25.6 percent market share. Google Android continued to grow its share in the U.S. smartphone market, accounting for 51.6 percent of smartphone subscribers, while Apple captured 32.4 percent.

OEM Market Share

For the three-month average period ending in June, 234 million Americans age 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 25.6 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers, followed by LG with 18.8 percent share. Apple continued to gain share in the OEM market, ranking third with 15.4 percent of mobile subscribers (up 1.4 percentage points), followed by Motorola with 11.7 percent and HTC with 6.4 percent (up 0.4 percentage points).

Top Mobile OEMs
3 Month Avg. Ending Jun. 2012 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Mar. 2012
Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers (Smartphone & Non-Smartphone) Ages 13+
Source: comScore MobiLens
Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
Mar-12 Jun-12 Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers 100.0% 100.0% N/A
Samsung 26.0% 25.6% -0.4
LG 19.3% 18.8% -0.5
Apple 14.0% 15.4% 1.4
Motorola 12.8% 11.7% -1.1
HTC 6.0% 6.4% 0.4

Smartphone Platform Market Share

More than 110 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in June, up 4 percent versus March. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 51.6 percent market share (up 0.6 percentage points), while Apple’s share increased 1.7 percentage points to 32.4 percent. RIM ranked third with 10.7 percent share, followed by Microsoft (3.8 percent) and Symbian (0.9 percent).

Top Smartphone Platforms
3 Month Avg. Ending Jun. 2012 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Mar. 2012
Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 13+
Source: comScore MobiLens
Share (%) of Smartphone Subscribers
Mar-12 Jun-12 Point Change
Total Smartphone Subscribers 100.0% 100.0% N/A
Google 51.0% 51.6% 0.6
Apple 30.7% 32.4% 1.7
RIM 12.3% 10.7% -1.6
Microsoft 3.9% 3.8% -0.1
Symbian 1.4% 0.9% -0.5

Mobile Content Usage

In June, 75.0 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device (up 0.7 percentage points). Downloaded applications were used by 51.4 percent of subscribers (up 1.4 percentage points), while browsers were used by 50.2 percent (up 0.9 percentage points). Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 0.8 percentage points to 36.9 percent of mobile subscribers. Game-playing was done by 33.4 percent of the mobile audience (up 0.8 percentage points), while 27.6 percent listened to music on their phones (up 2.3 percentage points).

Mobile Content Usage
3 Month Avg. Ending Jun. 2012 vs. 3 Month Avg. Ending Mar. 2012
Total U.S. Mobile Subscribers (Smartphone & Non-Smartphone) Ages 13+
Source: comScore MobiLens
Share (%) of Mobile Subscribers
Mar-12 Jun-12 Point Change
Total Mobile Subscribers 100.0% 100.0% N/A
Sent text message to another phone 74.3% 75.0% 0.7
Used downloaded apps 50.0% 51.4% 1.4
Used browser 49.3% 50.2% 0.9
Accessed social networking site or blog 36.1% 36.9% 0.8
Played Games 32.6% 33.4% 0.8
Listened to music on mobile phone 25.3% 27.6% 2.3

Dan joins the BGR team as the Android Editor, covering all things relating to Google’s premiere operating system. His work has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn’t testing the latest devices or apps, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.