Android Dominating OS Space With Strong Emerging Markets Presence

A new mobile phone forecast from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, has revealed that Android will maintain its reign as the leading operating system.
 
With a strong presence within emerging markets and attainable price points for both vendors and customers, IDC expects both a commanding market share as well as prices below the industry average.

What remains to be seen is which vendors will win the contest within emerging markets, as many local vendors have gained share last year.

iOS will remain the clear number 2 platform behind Android and will have the highest ASPs among the leading platforms. Apple has maintained a tight focus on the high end of the market with its most current devices, a trend we expect to see continue into the future.

This could keep iOS from realizing greater volumes within emerging markets, but sales in mature markets will offset much of the difference.

Windows Phone stands to grow the fastest among the leading smartphone operating systems, with continued support from Nokia as well as the addition of nine new Windows Phone partners.

Most of these new vendors come from emerging markets and could help bring the Windows Phone experience to customers there.

Meanwhile, IDC has taken a conservative stance on BlackBerry’s future. The company’s recent moves to shore up its presence with government and enterprise users as well as its strongholds within emerging markets will be under constant attack from the competition.

However, its higher-than-average prices compared to other platforms could inhibit its growth potential.