Smartphone shipments surged by 38% during 2012 and reached a staggering 217 million devices in the fourth quarter alone. Of those 217 million, 92% are running either Android or iOS, according to Strategy Analytics. In other words, Microsoft, RIM and others are fighting over scraps.
Globally, hardware makers shipped 700.1 million smartphones during 2012, which is up significantly from the 490 million shipped during 2011.
“We estimate 152.1 million Android smartphones were shipped globally in Q4 2012, nearly doubling from 80.6 million units in Q4 2011,” said Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. “Android’s share of the global smartphone market has surged from 51% to 70% over the past year, crushing Symbian, Bada and other platforms in its wake. Almost half-a-billion Android smartphones were shipped in total worldwide during 2012. Android is clearly the undisputed volume leader of the smartphone industry at the present time.”
