comScore shows Android keeping Apple at bay

Android has almost tripled its share of the smartphone market in the US in just three months, comScore found today. Its share of the market jumped from 3.8 percent in November to 9 percent in February. The move likely helped keep Apple's iPhone in check as it stayed nearly flat at 25.4 percent.

RIM's 10.5 million BlackBerries shipped also helped it consolidate its lead with a slight climb to 42.1 percent. Windows Mobile continued a downward slide with a 4-point drop to 15.1 percent, and Palm declined as well with a 1.8 percent drop.

Among individual hardware makers, Motorola still holds the lead but saw its gap narrow to less than one point: it slipped to 22.3 percent while LG stayed flat at 21.7 percent. Samsung moved slightly to 21.4 percent, and Nokia's share shrunk further, down to 8.7 percent. Despite RIM leading in smartphones, its actual share of the US accounted for 8.2 percent even after posting the only significant gain.

Most of the rapid rise of Android can be attributed to Verizon, where the Motorola Droid and HTC Droid Eris have become rare blockbusters for the normally conservative carrier. T-Mobile's addition of the Behold II and Cliq also helped, as did the Hero at Sprint.

By Electronista Staff