Android and iOS could be starting to lose their stranglehold on the UK's smart phone sales, with 17 per cent of current Windows Phone users having jumped ship from Google's platform.
Microsoft has made big gains in the UK, adding 700,000 users to the platform within the last year, according to figures released by market research firm Kantar. During the three months to the end of January 2013, Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system managed to grab 6 per cent of overall smart phone sales, up from 2.4 per cent in the same period last year.
Nokia's Lumia 800 was the best-selling Windows Phone in the UK in that period, but Nokia was not the only mobile-maker to benefit from a Windows boost, with HTC's Windows Phone 8X hot on its tail in third place.
The figures reveal that nearly one in five users of the Windows Phone platform had previously owned an Android smart phone, whereas just 2 per cent had jumped ship from iPhone. There were also gains from BlackBerry and Symbian, with 6 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. Microsoft's system is also incredibly popular with first-time buyers -- 47 per cent of all Windows Phone users have never owned a smart phone before.
While Android may be seeping a few users, the Big G hasn't got too much to worry about, as it still holds 56.2 per cent of the UK market, with Apple managing to grab a respectable 30.6 per cent.
The biggest loser was predictably BlackBerry, dropping into fourth place behind Windows Phone, with just 5.8 per cent of UK smart phone sales.
Windows Phone has now taken third place in the UK, Germany, France, US, Australia and Italy.
The operating
system seems to have finally made good on its potential as a third option against the
plethora of Android devices and the might of the iPhone.
It's not impossible that 2013 could be the year Windows Phone takes over from iOS as the number two platform, especially if more disgruntled former Android users give it a try. Apple currently commands 21.5 per cent of smart phone sales globally, but Windows Phone is snapping at its heels with 14 per cent.
Do you think Windows Phone has what it takes to topple iOS? Or is it destined to be stuck in the shadow of the older platforms? Let me know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.
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Comments 31
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anonymous 26 February, 2013 10:49
The power of Holly Willoughbooby!
weirdstuff 26 February, 2013 10:53
Yep, pretty predictable really. There are sooo many below-par, bad Android phones around that Windows phone are the logical choice. If you want a good, reliable phone and are leaving either of the top two platforms then it is the next, clear choice as Blackberry is still very much seen as a business phone (or for kids on BBM).
I really really enjoyed my Omnia 7 and was very tempted to get a Nokia Windows 8 device. However a certain ridiculously cheap Nexus 4 won me over...
Kokulan 26 February, 2013 11:02
Galaxy S3 is actually is the best device in the market but It is obvious that Windows Phone and the complete Windows ecosystem has a better future and I think that is M$ wanted to achieve. They know that they can’t overtake Android or IO this year or next year. But they strongly bid on winning in the long run.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 11:02
I really wonder about these market share stats. In London everyone I see either has an iPhone or an S3/Note. I have only seen one person using a Windows handset since Windows phone launched. I'm sure these figures also reflect new sales and don't take account of the secondary market which is particularly strong for Apple products. In terms of day to day usage IMHO iOS' share is more like 45% and probably about 50% for Android. But this may vary by region.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 11:20
People will soon realize how they're more more human when using Windows phone than turning into zombie in using Android which further expose them to Google's spying and mining on their data and personal profiles
anonymous 26 February, 2013 11:23
The reason I switched to Nokia is because I don't trust Android phone specially on banking apps.
Mark Anderson 26 February, 2013 11:58
Good news for WP. It's a great OS and choice is good.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 11:59
What you don't mention from the figures is that Android actually increase its market share by 6%.
Typical CNET to try and put a negative spin on something.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 13:10
Great to hear that people are starting to warm to a great product.
The way I see it, high end windows phones are behind apple and android but low end windows phone are amazing value for money. No stuttery slowcoach rubbish like a cheapo android - just a slick and reliable experience.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 13:14
Can't wait for Windows 9...Would have been a much better idea for MS to buy BB/RIM then they could have 3rd place virtually everywhere. Don't forget...just cos you own something...that alone doesn't make it a good product.
shauney3 26 February, 2013 13:19
Windows has a really nice looking OS. Android is so much better though. Search for "Laugher 8" on the Play Store if you have Android but like the 'live tile' effect from windows. That's the beauty of Android... Customization! =)
"Messaging Metro Beta" too.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 13:44
I agree with shauney3. Windows looks bright and clean but Android has it over the competition at the moment in pretty much every area.
I imagine that Windows Phone will continue to take more away from Androids user base: One of good things about Android phones is that they vary in price and spec, so you choose what suits your needs and budget, you can also get this from devices running Windows. I would expect more to leave Android for Windows in the future but also for that to reciprocate the other way too. Obviously not as many would leave WP to Android as it only has 1/10 of the market share of Android.
The thing that puts me off of WP is the idea of a Windows ecosystem, uuuurrrrgggghhhh. Shudder!
anonymous 26 February, 2013 15:15
The funny thing about Holly Willoughbooby endorsing them is that she actually uses an iPhone. It's like Tim Cook using a Nexus 4. Well maybe not, certainly laughable though.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 15:18
anonymous 26 February, 2013 11:20
Windows OS does the exact same thing. At least Google are pretty honest about it. Is Microsoft? No...
anonymous 26 February, 2013 16:27
Samsung is not doing much about W8 whereas Sony is nowhere at all. The latter ought to enter W8 market with an Xperia Z type phone followed by cheaper variants. At the moment W8 market race seems to be a one-horse race called Nokia Lumia Stakes.
billfred 26 February, 2013 18:02
Seriously, what qualifications do you need to get this job?
anonymous 26 February, 2013 18:07
Shame the XBox Music cloud sync on WP8 is absolutely diabolical. I went all in with a WP8 and an upgrade to Windows 8 on my PC. It destroyed the metadata in my music collection and eat up all my broadband data with its incessant and pointless uploading and streaming of music already on my devices. Within two months (of complete silence from MS) I had cancelled my music subscription, sold the phone and gone back to my Nexus 4. There is a 40 page forum topic on their official forums but still they make no public announcements about the total failure of this key service and still the mainstream tech press do not report on it.
URNumber6 26 February, 2013 18:14
There was a fire sale of the Lumia 800s, most major supermarkets were knocking them out at £140 (at one point carphone warehouse had them at £116). £140 is around what it would have cost NOKIA to build an 800. Trying to portray this as a success is really rather flattering to NOKIA and Microsoft, it was actually the disposal of redundant stock at a bargain bucket price.
The price dumping was concentrated in particular selected markets (UK and Italy) rather than across the board, presumably in the hope of generating some positive press about a sudden increase in market share somewhere in the world.
Windows Phone's market share was still tiny, claiming 17% of that tiny number was made up of users who formerly had an Android device is not particularly earth shattering either.
Could they have been enticed to change if it weren't for the fact they were getting NOKIA quality hardware for a knock down price? Perhaps (and I think it likely) they bought the 800 despite it running Windows Phone rather than because of it.
I have to confess I was sorely tempted, Windows Phone is uglier than an ugly thing in an ugly place (I'm not surprised NOKIA are on the brink of bankruptcy having exclusively adopted such a hideous pig-in-lipstick) but £140 for such a nice piece of hardware could just about make up for it.
URNumber6 26 February, 2013 18:15
There was a fire sale of the Lumia 800s, most major supermarkets were knocking them out at £140 (at one point carphone warehouse had them at £116). £140 is around what it would have cost NOKIA to build an 800. Trying to portray this as a success is really rather flattering to NOKIA and Microsoft, it was actually the disposal of redundant stock at a bargain bucket price.
The price dumping was concentrated in particular selected markets (UK and Italy) rather than across the board, presumably in the hope of generating some positive press about a sudden increase in market share somewhere in the world.
Windows Phone's market share was still tiny, claiming 17% of that tiny number was made up of users who formerly had an Android device is not particularly earth shattering either.
Could they have been enticed to change if it weren't for the fact they were getting NOKIA quality hardware for a knock down price? Perhaps (and I think it likely) they bought the 800 despite it running Windows Phone rather than because of it.
I have to confess I was sorely tempted, Windows Phone is uglier than an ugly thing in an ugly place (I'm not surprised NOKIA are on the brink of bankruptcy having exclusively adopted such a hideous pig-in-lipstick) but £140 for such a nice piece of hardware could just about make up for it.
anonymous 26 February, 2013 19:04
I own a samsung galaxy s3 and as soon as my contract is up will be getting windows phin the android is a good o's but I am fed up with the lag terrible even iPhone would be better then this
Mark Anderson 26 February, 2013 21:34
@URNumber6
LOL! U mad, bro?
anonymous 26 February, 2013 22:18
anonymous 26 February, 2013 11:59
anonymous 26 February, 2013 22:21
That Turd who keeps on complaining about CNET being this or that, shut the Heck up man! If you're so fed up about your precious "android" phone being dissed on this page, go to Android Central!! And by the way, I hate ANDROID! iOS or WP all day, everyday!
anonymous 26 February, 2013 22:48
@anonymous 22:21 you are that turd!
anonymous 26 February, 2013 23:07
@anonymous 22:18 yes thanks for that!
anonymous 28 February, 2013 02:20
Great post! I am photos designer who has been user digital tablet for many years. I have seen many people around me asking about best Tablet PC’s of the year 2012. Many of them are ready to buy a Tablet PC of any cost. They are buy Apple iphone mini. This Tablet used very easily. So everybody used it.
anonymous 20 March, 2013 08:13
I have an Android phone and the 'user interface' is terrible.
Can't wait to get a Windows phone.
shogal 22 March, 2013 22:26
Id say "urnumber6" has really hit the nail on the head, Do people really think people bought Nokia Lumia 800 for Microsoft?? Rubbish
People only bought it because of Nokia's Gorgeous hardware at a astonishingly Low price! I've had IOS for years and love it, but was tempted by Ridiculous low price of lumia 800,
I have to say the Hardware of my Lumia 800 Cyan is Amazing, but the windows operating system is crap, it does look sexy from far away with its bright colourful live tiles, but once you dig deep it is no where near IOS or Android, the market place is sparse!
Nokia are doing their side of the bargaining in there partnership with MS, by creating Stunning hardware lumia 800/900/920, but MS are not supporting them enough with decent software,
Just imagine a Nokia lumia 920 running IOS!!! or for that matter running 4.2 Jellybean!
anonymous 30 March, 2013 14:29
I think there is a very big question mark on these stats and figures. I too see everyone using only Iphone's and Android devices everywhere i go. Very rare if at all I see anyone with a Windows device in public. I dont even know anyone who jumped ship. But it is a pity as I quite like Windows Phone 8, again the biggest problem is its ecosystem. Since its release back in 2010 still hardly any Apps, cant find a decent banking app for windows here in UK and that is a slap in the face.
anonymous 30 March, 2013 14:34
I would have to agree 100% with shogal. some of the Windows 8 devices are fantastic but I'm afraid the OS still does nothing only sits there showing off pretty colour tiles. Once you dig deep and look further into the OS settings there is nothing there of any help or use.
anonymous 15 April, 2013 00:21
I cant wait to ditch my Android for a top-of-the-range Mokia Lumia!