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Google’s Android operating system now accounts for over 80 per cent of all smartphone units shipped.
IDC reports that 261.1 million smartphones were shipped during the third quarter, with 211.6 million of them running Android.
This is the first time that Android topped 80 per cent in its short history.
Also reaching a milestone was Microsoft’s Windows Phone, which grew 156 per cent year over year. It’s overall market share is still less than five per cent but IDC believes the support of Nokia helped drive the platform into multiple tiers and price points.
"Android and Windows Phone continued to make significant strides in the third quarter. Despite their differences in market share, they both have one important factor behind their success: price," said Ramon Llamas, Research Manager with IDC’s Mobile Phone team.
"Both platforms have a selection of devices available at prices low enough to be affordable to the mass market, and it is the mass market that is driving the entire market forward."
Apple’s iOS has the second biggest market share of just 12.9 per cent, shipping 33.8 million units in Q3.
