What will be the leading Mobile OS in the Philippines?
comScore, a leader in measuring the digital world has released its report for the January 2011 U.S. Mobile Subscriber Market Share.
Based on the report, for the three month period between October 2010 to January 2011, Google's Android gained 7.7% in market share, for a total 31.2% share in the US Market. This put it ahead of RIM's BlackBerry, the previous leader whose market share dipped to 30.4%. Google's Android seem to be hurting most the shares of RIM and Microsoft, with Apple's iOS showing no significant gain or loss in market share. US results do not reflect Philippine buying patterns, where Nokia's Symbian has ruled for years.
While we have no similar figures for the Philippines, StatCounter reports on Mobile OS web browsing usage from the Philippines shows only 1.99% of the users in the Philippine accessing the web through their mobile phones were using the Android OS for the month of October 2010. By February 2011, this figure went up dramatically to 5.01%. Apple iOS also made significant gains in usage, going from 11.38% in October 2010 to 14.21% by February 2011. BlackBerry usage stayed flat at a bit over 1%.
Recently, TipidCP started a poll, which is still running on, which brand of phone would TipidCP members want to buy next. It looks like if money was not object, Apple's iPhone would reach the same level of market share that it has achieved in the United States.
Nokia looks like it has reason to worry, while being the market leader in the Philippines, it looks like only 1 in 6 buyers would consider buying a Nokia phone in this money-is-no-object poll. In the real world Samsung and Nokia with their value offerings would fare better.
HTC should be very happy with the results, it came in third in this survey, just behind Nokia. RIM's BlackBerry also looks like it can make gains in the Philippine market.
LG on the other hand would be disappointed. Despite the popularity of the LG Optimus One at TipidCP, only 3% said they were considering buying an LG phone next.
While these a brand statistics, and not Mobile OS statistics, the votes for Nokia would probably be translated into a Windows Phone 7 preference. Sony Ericsson and Motorola votes are Android votes. HTC and LG votes either express a preference for Android or Windows Phone 7. Samsung votes, would be divided into a preference for Android, Windows Phone 7 or Bada.
Android is definitely on the rise and a 25% or greater market share in smartphones by end of the year looks achievable. Apple iOS market share will be limited by cost of acquisition. A significant percentage of users are still looking at BlackBerry's for their next purchase, and its success in the Philippines will depend on good carrier support. It also looks like there is enough time for Nokia to bring in Windows Phone 7 and make it a four way fight in the Philippines. Might be a four way fight, but, I am betting on Google to be the leader by end of the year.