Wanted to show this to the forum. According to the IDC, Android smartphones now account for 75% of the mobile devices out there. IOS market share rose to just 14.9% of the whole market in the same quarter. Franky, I was very surprised to hear this report. Even as an Android fan I expected Apple to have a way bigger share of the market than what they currently have. With the massive growth of Android over the previous year that went from 57.5% of the market in Q3 2011 to 75% in Q3 2012, Apple aught to be very scared at this point.
https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS23771812
We are in the middle of the mobile wars. Just like the computer wars, there will be times when things look bad for either side. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
I agree with you about where we are at in the mobile tech world. Smack dab in the middle of it. I already know how it's going to play out though. Much like the PC wars, it's going to be Microsoft or Android for the win. Reason?...Because Apple charge their customers a premium while M$ and Droid offer a great product at a much lower price point. The majority of the population live on a budget and must stay within that limit. When they can get a comparable product for almost half of what Apple charges it's going to seem obvious for them. Yes Apple makes a great product and yes they may be better in certain areas but at the end of the day all most people worry about is what their bottom line is going to look like. Money talks on both sides of the fence. Apple had a good run but I predict the next 5 years will be very good for M$ and Android whereas Apple will be brought back down to earth.
I understand the Nexus 4 unlocked is quite a bargain for the spec sheet. But just so you realize, a 16 gb iPhone 5 is $199, a 16 gb Note 2 is $299, and a 16 gb GS3 is $199. With the GS3 and iP5 most likely outselling the Nexus 4 in overall sales. Not knocking the Nexus 4 as a great developer phone, but the other 2 are marketed much more and have an even better price point. The majority of consumers are not on T-Mo's prepaid plan.
Now, if you're talking about free phones, can't argue there, I mean it's FREE. But I'll still shell out my $399 for a 64 gb iPhone b/c I prefer iOS and iPhone over a free Android 4.1 smartphone.
Where can you get an iPhone 5 for $199 unlocked with out a contract? Most places I've looked at require a 3 year contract on a minimum of $$ a month. You make it sound like the iPhone is comparable in price. No where close. You can take a Nexus($299 unlocked) and go with any server you wish. No contract no worries.
Wanted to show this to the forum. According to the IDC, Android smartphones now account for 75% of the mobile devices out there. IOS market share rose to just 14.9% of the whole market in the same quarter. Franky, I was very surprised to hear this report. Even as an Android fan I expected Apple to have a way bigger share of the market than what they currently have. With the massive growth of Android over the previous year that went from 57.5% of the market in Q3 2011 to 75% in Q3 2012, Apple aught to be very scared at this point.
https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS23771812
The average consumer is not going to buy a phone unlocked. I am willing to bet Nexus 4 will sell a good amount, but nothing comparable to iPhone or Samsung's GS3. The average consumer will get their smartphone subsidized. On top of which, using the US as an example, Verizon is the US largest mobile provider. People won't flock to AT&T and T-Mo just because Google Play offers a comparable unlocked phone.
It seems that you are arguing that Nexus 4 will become the world's top selling smartphone, when I have serious doubts it will come close to Android's own GS3 or Apple's iPhone 5. Let alone there are other competitors like the Razr Maxx, One X, and Windows Phones to consider. There might be a handful of people on this forum who say ya, an out of contract high spec GSM phone is the best value on the market, but it's price point is not the only factor consumers have in mind.
I hope we're not saying the same things about Apple in 5-7 years time. Without Jobs they have not convinced me they are in innovate mode. Rather they appear to be in retrench, hunker down and let's play prevent defense mode.
Where can you get an iPhone 5 for $199 unlocked with out a contract? Most places I've looked at require a 3 year contract on a minimum of $$ a month. You make it sound like the iPhone is comparable in price. No where close. You can take a Nexus($299 unlocked) and go with any server you wish. No contract no worries.
Doing the same stuff they did when they got spanked by MS in the 90's. As smart as Jobs was and as good as his vision was on a final product, that vision was very limited, and was his weak spot.
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If you're a customer (which I assume you are), the lower the profit is the better for you since you're getting a better deal.
The majority of the population live on a budget and want to stay within that limit.
There's what 200-300 Android devices out there compared to a few iPhone models? Why is anyone surprised? Add in free and cheap phones, carriers and cell shops/big box stores pushing Android hard with no let up in sight the market share will grow even more.
Just imagine if Apple ever decided to compete in price, and give the same margins to resellers as other manufacturers do, not just with the iPhone, but tablets and Mac's too. It would upset EVERYTHING ... then we could discuss market share ... I doubt Apple could keep up with the demand in any of the three categories.
There's what 200-300 Android devices out there compared to a few iPhone models? Why is anyone surprised? Add in free and cheap phones, carriers and cell shops/big box stores pushing Android hard with no let up in sight the market share will grow even more.
I will love if apple does these, but even in the hardest times they never bow down.
Of that 75% market share lets look at OS version breakdown that tells the real story here...
54% aren't even running the newest devices.
http://www.droid-life.com/2012/11/0...on-numbers-for-november-jelly-bean-up-to-2-7/
Some people go crazy for the amount of cash apple have but you gonna think for how long they can keep with that (selling for hight profit) when the competition is selling for less and superb devices, most likely you will see iphone users making the change to other phones than the opposite.
I made the switch and I'm never looking back
I'm making the switch but would return if apple turns things around. I have no loyalty to any company. Whoever provides the best phones for my needs gets my money. Apple isn't doing that right now.