Android Vs Apple: Analyst Says Android Taking Over Apple in Smartphone Market

Android Vs Apple: The smartphone game is beginning to heat up (even more so than before), with Android powered devices squaring off against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS operating system.

Apple Inc. (AAPL), iPhone 5Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Press Info

As first reported by AppleInsider, Charlie Wolf of Needham & Co. released the following information in a note to investors:

Android’s market share rose to 72.4 percent in September, up from 64.1 percent quarter-to-quarter, while Apple saw its share slip to 13.9 percent from 18.8 percent over the same period.

Although this appears to be a huge win for Android powered devices, there is one important detail to keep in mind: it is likely that Apple’s sales numbers were negatively impacted by consumers avoiding a new purchase as they waited for the iPhone 5 to be released.

Could the smartphone market eventually become “one-sided?” Here is what Wolf had to say on the matter:

As we have discussed in previous reports, we think a ‘winner-take-all’ outcome is possible, but highly unlikely.

The word “possible” must be taken into consideration as it is hard to imagine any scenario in which Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPhone is going to be completely dominated by the competition.

Of course, you never know what the future holds. Travel back in time 12 months and BlackBerry was holding onto a market share of roughly 11%. Now, the company is struggling to hang onto 5% of the market.

In his note, Wolf also chimed in on the dominance of Samsung in the hardware market.

Samsung was the clear winner after taking a 32.4 percent share on shipments of 54.1 million units, a 129 percent year-over-year increase from 23.6 million units in the third quarter of 2011.

It is worth noting again that this shift was likely impacted by the upcoming September release of the new Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone 5.

Check back here for more updates on Android Vs Apple.

For more coverage on the smartphone battle, check out the following stories:

Apple Inc. Grabbed 60% of Smartphone Profit in Q3

America’s Largest Mobile OEMs: Apple Inc. Overtakes LG for No. 2 Spot