The latest global mobile phone shipment data: Android is more ahead

The latest report released by market research firm IDC shows that in the second quarter of 2014, global smartphone shipments exceeded 300 million units for the first time, reaching 301.3 million units, an increase of 25.3% from 240.5 million units in the same period of 2013.

In the second quarter, the combined share of Android and iOS in the global smartphone market reached 96.4%, while the market share of other operating systems was very low. Among them, the shipment volume of Android phones was 255.3 million, a year-on-year increase of 33.3%, and the market share was 84.7%, higher than 79.6% in the same period of 2013. The shipment volume of iPhone increased by 12.7% year-on-year to 35.2 million units, and the market share was 11.7%, lower than 12.7% in the same period of 2013.

"Android is making rapid progress in emerging markets as many OEM partners focus on the sub-$200 market," said Ramon Llamas, research manager for IDC's mobile phone team. "58.6% of Android phones shipped in the second quarter were priced under $200 off-contract, making them very attractive relative to other devices. With the recent launch of Android One, Google is showing Android vendors reference designs for sub-$100 phones, so the share of sub-$200 phones will increase further."

"Other operating systems have been hit hard," said Melissa Chau, senior research manager for IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Trackers. "Windows Phone, launched in 2010, has yet to break 5% market share. And Tizen has yet to make the top rankings, despite backing from Samsung, the world's largest phone maker. The biggest hurdle is finding enough partners, not just with phone makers but also with developers. Many developers focus on the two largest ecosystems to minimize development costs."

Details for each operating system

In the second quarter of 2014, Android set a new market share record, almost doubling from three years ago. Samsung once again led the pack, accounting for 29.3% of all Android phone shipments, but down from 40.0% two years ago. Since then, other companies, including Coolpad, Huawei, Lenovo, LG, Xiaomi and ZTE have all seen growth in shipments.

According to historical data, the second quarter may be the smallest quarter of the year for iPhone shipments. In the past two years, iPhone shipments in the third quarter are usually boosted by the launch of new products, so they are usually larger than those in the second quarter. Whether the same situation will happen this year remains to be seen, as the industry generally expects Apple to release a large-screen iPhone.

Windows Phone shipments declined year-over-year, but grew slightly quarter-over-quarter. Windows Phone is now the third-largest smartphone platform. The number of OEM partners for the system has not changed much from a year ago, but this may change in the second half of 2014. Several manufacturers in emerging markets may launch Windows Phone phones, including BLU, Micromax, Prestigio and Yezz. Current Windows Phone manufacturers also include Foxconn, Gionee, JSR, Karbonn, Lava, Lenovo, LG, Longcheer and ZTE.

After three consecutive quarters of sequential declines, BlackBerry's shipments rebounded slightly in the second quarter, but were still 78.0% lower than the same period last year. In the process of executing its strategy, BlackBerry made some progress in one of its key markets, the Asia-Pacific market, and won some corporate customers in North America and Western Europe.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.