3 ms·
The Android installed base is 37% but only 31% of smartphone buyers-to-be want Android to be their next phone. The iPhone installed base is 27% but 30% of users
by codex 15y ago
The Android installed base is 37% but only 31% of smartphone buyers-to-be want Android to be their next phone. The iPhone installed base is 27% but 30% of users want the iPhone to be their next phone. Whether or not this indicates the strength of Android, or the weakness of Android, depends on how many of those polled already own a smartphone. If most of the polled group don't own a smartphone at all, then it's pretty good for Android. If the polled group reflects current smartphone market share, then iPhone looks relatively strong, because that would indicate more existing Android owners want to move to the iPhone than vice-versa.
Other factors may also play a role. For example, Android is now outselling iPhone by a two to one margin. Most of these sales could be to people who have never had a smartphone before, and they could be totally wowed by Android. So it would make sense that these users, when polled, would prefer another Android phone--after all, it's miles better than the dumb phone that they were previously using. They've never used an iPhone and don't see why they need one, especially given the higher price of the iPhone (most Android phones are cheap, relatively speaking).
- innes 15y agoI find the rationalizations made in these iPhone/Android threads fascinating. Not sure doing so is healthy though.
- codex 15y agoAgreed. One of the delights of ambiguity is that it allows one to project one's own prejudices into the data. Allow me: For example, what does it mean that 31% of people want an Android phone but a whopping 50% of them buy one? Is it because the lower price is compelling undecideds to switch? Or is it because carriers promote Android in-store because the advertising rev. share is more profitable for them (see http://paidcontent.org/article/419-androids-secret-sauce-googles-little-known-advertising-rev-share-deals-/ http://paidcontent.org/article/419-androids-secret-sauce-goo...). Or is it simply that Android simply kicks ass? Or all three? But, on the other hand, what does it mean that the Android installed base is 37% greater than iPhone, but Android browser share is only 10% greater? Does that indicate that some people aren't using the smartphone features of Android, and instead are just buying them as cheap phones with cool cameras and email?
- npalli 15y agoThere is more information regarding trends -- 50% of the smartphone purchases in the last six months were android. From July-Sept'10 to Jan-Mar'11 people wanting an iPhone dropped from 33% to 30% From July-Sept'10 to Jan-Mar'11 people wanting an android increased from 26% to 31% With no iPhone 5 until fall and a big bump in iPhone sales in Jan-Mar'11 due to Verizon, this only means the trends will continue to favor android until Fall.