Worldwide smartphone shipments have grown 47 percent during the second quarter of 2013 and the Google Android mobile platform has a reason to celebrate.
According to Strategy Analytics, Android accounted for 75.50 percent of the global smartphone operating system market share for the second quarter of 2013, up from 69.50 percent from the same quarter last year. Smartphones with the Android mobile platform increased from last year as well, with 182.6 million units shipped in the second quarter, up from 108.7 million units.
Follow the latest Tech news on Twitter: @LatinosPostTech
"Competitive licensing costs, numerous hardware partners and a large apps store continue to be among the main drivers of Android's success," said Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawston.
Apple has witness mixed results with their smartphone figures by Strategy Analytics. The consulting firm noted Apple's iOS slipped by 3 percent and finished at 13.60 percent. In regards to smartphones shipped, the number increased compared to last year. Smartphones with the iOS platform accounted for 31.2 million shipped units, jumping from 26 million units.
Microsoft, meanwhile, was steady.
"Microsoft is making steady progress in the smartphone market due to strong support from Nokia. However, we believe Microsoft's [Windows Phone 8] platform still needs to improve in at least two areas before it truly takes off," said Strategy Analytics' analyst Linda Sui.
The analyst added that the license fee charged to smartphone makers for Windows Phone 8 has to be competitive to compete against low-cost brands with the Android operating system.
"And second, Microsoft must dramatically accelerate its support for advanced technologies, such as octo-core chipsets, because [Windows Phone 8] continues to lag behind Android in the premium smartphone category," Sui noted.
Microsoft's mobile operating system finished with 3.90 percent in the second quarter of 2013, an increase of 0.30 percent from the same quarter in 2012. Meanwhile, smartphone shipments with Windows Phone 8 increased to 8.9 percent, up from 5.6 percent.