Data & Research

Android share hits 52% in US, but Google target Motorola continues to fall back

BlackBerry's share slumps to 11%

Android share hits 52% in US, but Google target Motorola continues to fall back
If Millennial Media's assessment of the US smartphone market wasn't enough for you, the NPD Group's accumulation of Q2 2011 figures tell a similar story: Android dominance.

Like Millennial, NPD claims Android is continuing to grow apace in the States, its share settling at a market leading 52 percent.

That puts it some distance ahead of iOS on 29 percent, while former king BlackBerry continues to fall away, its share dropping to 11 percent in the most recent quarter.

One way deal?

Arguably the bigger issue, however, is how Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility will impact both on the business itself, and the operations of its Android rivals.

For the moment, NPD's figures suggest Motorola is a fast fading force in the US market, its smartphone share dropping three percentage points to 12 percent.

As a result, NPD pitches Google's purchase of the company as less of a gain for the web giant, and more of a rescue job for the much maligned manufacturer.

One last hope

"Much as it did in the feature phone market in the RAZR era, Motorola is experiencing increased competition from Samsung and LG in the smartphone market," said executive director of industry analysis Ross Rubin.

"Closer ties to the heart of Android can help inspire new paths to differentiation."

Indeed, Android's continued dominance offers Motorola its one and only lifeline, with the firm having posted a $56 million loss in Q2 2011.

"Android is also leading the charge in the rapidly growing prepaid smartphone market," Rubin added.

"This was once a key segment for Motorola that the company has an opportunity to reclaim as prepaid carriers build their smartphone portfolios."

[source: NPD]

With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.