Apple is no longer on top when it comes to sales of its iPhone. Open-source Android-based smartphones have surpassed iPhone sales.
After enjoying strong growth in last year’s fourth quarter, Android moved past Apple in this year’s first quarter to take the number-two position in smartphone operating systems, according to a report by NPD Group.
Based on unit sales of devices to consumers, the Android operating system held 28 percent of the market, ahead of Apple’s 21 percent. Research In Motion’s BlackBerry operating system still sits at number one with 36 percent.
Being in the number-two slot isn’t too shabby for an operating system that launched two years ago and had to go up against OS heavy hitters that include BlackBerry, Symbian, Windows Mobile, and of course the iPhone, said analysts.
“We had seen Android grow very strong in the fourth quarter and the two operating systems were neck in neck,” said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. “We knew that AT&T was going to be supporting Android in 2010 (with its Dell Aero and Motorola Backflip phones), so it was not much of a surprise.”
While the operating systems are created by the phone makers, it’s the carriers who drive sales with marketing and promotions. And there were a few factors in Android’s push past the Apple iPhone OS.
“One of the things that led to strong growth is the Verizon Wireless buy-one-get-one deal, which effectively lowered the price,” Rubin said.
AT&T’s sales comprised nearly one-third of the entire smartphone market with 32 percent, followed by Verizon with 30 percent, T-Mobile with 17 percent, and Sprint with 15 percent.
“Strong sales of the Droid, Droid Eris, and BlackBerry Curve via these promotions helped keep Verizon Wireless’ smartphone sales on par with AT&T in Q1,” Rubin said. “On the Android side,…