Android experiencing massive growth in China

Graphic: Life Of Android

Android’s performance in China, the world's largest cellphone market, has been outstanding, the platform clearly wiping the floor with its competition.

By the close of 2011, Android had more than doubled its already dominating smartphone market share to 68.4% from the 33.6% it held at the end of Q1. The biggest loser, not unexpectedly, has been Nokia which saw its Symbian platform drop from ~40% to 18.7%

Apple’s iOS grew slightly during the year, from 4.1% in Q1 to 5.7% at the end of Q4, which must be a concern to the Cupertino tech giant. In light of the fast-maturing Western marketplaces, Apple’s continuing growth strategy requires capitalizing on the rapidly-expanding markets like China and India, something that it has so far failed to achieve to any significant extent.


Part of Android’s success in China is due to the affordability of handsets from ZTE and Huawei, local OEMs who are able to offer the high-end experience of Apple and Samsung but at a significantly lower price point.

It’s difficult to see this changing since Apple has been unwilling to compromise its margins for market share, depending instead on its brand cachet for market success. Conversely, Samsung is a player in the lower priced smartphone offering, but it remains to be seen if even they can compete with China’s indigenous handset makers.

Source: Reuters