Android-1st ever Smartphone OS to ship over 1 billion units

Android-again marked its stone by ruling the smartphone market with shipping over 1 billion units worldwide last year for the “first time ever”, as claimed by a research firm.

According to strategy analytics report, 2014 saw a rise in global shipment that grew 30% annually to reach a record of 1.3 billion units. In 2013, global smartphone market witnessed 1 billion units shipped.

This now concludes that Android smartphones accounted for 81% of all smartphones shipped last year, Apple with 15% share of global smartphone OS market and then we have Microsoft with 3% of the total share!

“Global smartphones shipments grew 30% annually from 1 billion units in 2013 to a record 1.03 billion in 2014. Emerging markets, such as China and Indonesia, drove the industry’s growth last year and they will continue to do so through 2015”, Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics.

According to Strategy Analytics, the 4^th quarter saw most Android devices shipping with a massive figure of 291.7 units. In the last quarter of 2013, Android shipped 227.3 million units. Apple’s iOS acquired second place in the final quarter of 2014, having shipped 74.5 million units. Microsoft earned points by shipping 11.3 million units in the 4^th quarter of 2014 as compared to shipping of 9.6 million units in 2013.

Last year, we saw Android shipping 1.3 billion units while Apple being at 192.7 million devices. Microsoft stands third with 38.8 million smartphone shipment, according to the data released by Strategy Analytics.

“Android has become the first ever smartphone operating system having shipped more than 1 billion units in a single year”, said Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics. “Apple iOS shipped 192.2 million smartphones worldwide in 2014, capturing 15% share. The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus models have recently re-energized Apple’s growth and their bigger screen designs have swiftly gained traction among wealthy consumers.”

“Microsoft shipped 38.8 million smartphones for a relatively niche 3% market share worldwide in 2014. Microsoft’s Windows platforms dominates PCs, but continues to struggle in Smartphones. Microsoft still lacks multiple major hardware partners to build its phones, while Microsoft retail presence in important countries like China remains tiny”, said Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics.