Android smartphone market share in US drops to 56% in 2Q12

According to Strategy Analytics, smartphone shipments fell five percent annually to reach 24 million units in the U.S. in 2Q12. The Android OS lost ground to Apple iOS and Android's market share fell four points on an annual basis to 56 percent, added the market research firm.

"We estimate Android shipped 13.4 million smartphones for 56 percent share of the U.S. market in 2Q12. This was down from 15.3 million units shipped and 61 percent share a year earlier. Android remains the number one platform by volume in the U.S., but its market share is approaching a peak and Apple iOS has been gaining ground," stated Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. "Apple's U.S. market share has risen by ten points from 23 percent in 2Q11 to 33 percent in 2Q12. Apple is rumored to be launching a new iPhone in the coming weeks, and that event, if it takes place, is going to heap even more pressure on Android in its home market."

Scott Bicheno, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, added: "Blackberry's smartphone market share in the U.S. has dropped from 11 percent to seven percent over the past year, reaching its lowest level in recent history. Consumers, businesses and operators continue to be frustrated by Blackberry's limited touchcreen smartphone portfolio and repeated delays to its new BB10 operating system."