Q1 2014 results for pretty much everyone and everything and everyone recently and it looks like the overall Android market has been experiencing some substantial growth. We’re sure this is due to people swapping devices or moving away from platforms such as BlackBerry devices, but it would seem that a lot of these new Android users are those graduating from so-called “dumbphones” and choosing their first smartphone. It’s not surprising that Android is the choice for these users as there’s a wider array of devices to choose from. If you want to buy a Windows Phone, it’s only really Nokia that offer viable options, BlackBerries offer a small choice as well and well, Apple offers you one or two phones to choose from. Meanwhile, those looking for an Android device can choose from Samsung, HTC, Sony, LG, Motorola, Huawei and so on.
According to the latest figures from ABI Research, Android enjoyed a 24% year-on-year growth from Q1 2013 and that the recent newfound growth is coming from those upgrading to smartphones. Nick Spencer, Senior Practice Director of Mobile Devices, says that “basic mobile phones lost 5% market share and Android picked up almost all of these users, suggesting Android is set to gain almost all of the billions of mobile subscribers still upgrading to smartphones. Certainly, Android looks set to completely dominate the high growth developing markets and increase its market share still further.”
While BlackBerry continues to dwindle towards the bottom of any list, Android continues to experience some serious growth. Interestingly, Windows Phone experienced a year-on-year growth of 119% since Q1 2013, but the platform as a whole only took 3% of market share in Q1 2014. With Android offering great experiences for great prices – like the Moto G pictured above – the platform is set to take over developing markets. Latin America and India will be the next big markets for Android and with India already having a substantial Android market, we’re sure this growth is to continue for quite some time