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Google’s Android operating system was found on three out of every four phones shipped during the third quarter.
Having topped 100 million units in Q2, Android has reached a new record level for a single quarter, with 181 million smartphones with the OS shipped.
IDC’s report reveals that iOS came in second with only 14.9 per cent of market share. This means Android outsold Apple’s operating system 5-to-1.
"Android has been one of the primary growth engines of the smartphone market since it was launched in 2008," said Ramon Llamas, research manager, mobile phones at IDC.
"In every year since then, Android has effectively outpaced the market and taken market share from the competition. In addition, the combination of smartphone vendors, mobile operators, and end-users who have embraced Android has driven shipment volumes higher. Even today, more vendors are introducing their first Android-powered smartphones to market."
According to IDC, Samsung devices such as the Galaxy S3 and Note 2, were the most popular Android products among users.
Top six smartphone mobile operating systems, shipments, and market share, Q3 2012:
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