iPhone Eclipses Windows Mobile in U.S.

By Geoff Duncan December 18, 2009

motorola-droid — Image used with permission by copyright holder

New data from media metrics firm Comscore shows a trend that can’t be making the folks in Redmond very happy: the total number of folks using iPhones in the United States has now surpassed the number of people using devices running Windows Mobile. The U.S. business market has always been the backbone of WIndows Mobile’s user base, but Comscore’s figures show some 7.13 million Windows Mobile users in October 2009, compared with 8.97 million iPhone users in the same month. Furthermore, Comscore shows Android poised to make a major jump in market share, as survey data shows almost as many people considering an Android device as are considering the iPhone as their next phone purchase.

Smartphone platform data also shows the iPhone is the number two smartphone platform in the United States…although it is still a somewhat distant second to BlackBerries from Canada’s Research in Motion, which tallied up 14.96 million users during October 2009. One interesting trend in Comscore’s data is that Palm, Symbian, and Windows Mobile all help fairly steady in terms of total number of U.S. users from February to October 2009—although Windows Mobile did register a mid-year decline—where only RIM and Apple showed strong growth.

However, that may be about to change: although Google’s Android platform only accounted for 3.5 percent of the smartphone market in October 2009, Comscore is forecasting Android is due to take off, with 17 percent of U.S. consumers in the market for a smartphone considering an Android device. In comparison 20 percent of those potential smartphone buyers are looking at the iPhone. “While iPhone continues to set the bar with its App Store and passionate user base, and RIM remains the leader among the business set, Android is clearly gaining momentum among developers and consumers,” said Comscore’s senior VP for mobile Mark Donovan, in a statement.

Comscore cites Verizon’s Droid campaign as a significant factor making consumers more aware of the Android platform.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

Best iPhone deals: Save on iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro Max and more

iPhone 13 Pro in blue.

The Apple iPhone is likely the most popular smartphone of all time, and even older models are still seeing impressive sales. This popularity can make it difficult to find iPhone deals, but there are quite a few hanging around out there right now and some of them could be considered among the best phone deals currently taking place. And while you can always shop refurbished iPhone deals to ensure some savings, we think we’ve found some iPhone deals worth taking a look at right now. They include the newest model iPhone 15, so whether you’re looking for the latest and greatest or an iPhone that simply gets the job done, read onward and start shopping the best iPhone deals going on right now.
iPhone 15 128GB (AT&T) — $730, was $830 (plus up to $700 off w/ trade-in)

The Apple iPhone 15 finally brings with it Dynamic Island which we’ve only previously seen on the Pro range. It’s a real game changer at times and is very convenient. Alongside that, the Apple iPhone 15 has the Ceramic Shield front to keep it more protected while its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display promises to be up to two times brighter than the iPhone 14 in the sun. There’s also a 48MP main camera with 2x telephoto lens to help you take great shots. The A16 Bionic chip has plenty of processing power to aid with software adjustments.

Mobile

5 phones you should buy instead of the iPhone 15

A green iPhone 15 on a green bench.

Apple’s iPhone lineup continues to be among its bestselling products. In 2023, we got the iPhone 15, which packs some of Apple’s latest and greatest tech and starts at $800.

The iPhone 15 is one of the easiest iPhone recommendations in 2024. But if you're open to a few other suggestions, there are some great alternatives to consider — including cheaper iPhone options and some really compelling Android phones. Here are five other phones you should consider buying instead of the iPhone 15.
iPhone 14

Mobile

This is one of the cheapest 5G phones worth buying today

The Moto G 5G held in a hand with its screen illuminated.

Head straight to the source for one of the best phone deals right now with Motorola selling its Moto G 5G phone for $150 instead of $250. A considerable saving of $100, this might not be the most high-end of phones but it’s ideal if you simply need something cheap but effective. With this 2023 model seeing such a substantial price drop, we’re taking a quick look at what it has to offer and why it might appeal.

Why you should buy the Moto G 5G
You won’t see the Moto G 5G near our look at the best phones. At just $150, that’s hardly surprising. However, it does have the core essentials going for it. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 480+ 5G processor and 4GB RAM which is fine for basic tasks and web browsing. It can handle gaming too if you don’t mind somewhat sluggish load times. Crucially, the phone is 5G compatible so depending on the area you live in, you can enjoy the fastest speeds when browsing online away from Wi-Fi.