Apple or Android Nation? Operating System Popularity Across Countries

Source: Statista.com

While the difference in business models between the world’s two most popular smartphone operating systems means that they will never compete for market share on the same level, Apple is definitely not satisfied with how low its market share is in some emerging economies. For one nation with some of the fewest iOS users – India – this might change.

Apple will for the first time be able to open its own stores in the country after having invested in a local production facility. The rule is just one aspect of India’s protectionist economic policy that has in the past limited the brand’s access to its market of over one billion people. Before the new facility was up and running, Apple also had to pay substantial import duties on phones for the Indian market, which resulted in a price tag that was out of the reach even of wealthy Indian consumers.

Right now, Indian iPhone owners are making up only 3 percent of smartphone users – fewer than in most African, Latin American or Southeast Asian nations. With the price of the locally produced iPhone SE down to $484, Apple is hoping to boost sales at a time when mid-range and premium smartphone market segments are beginning to grow. The company has achieved market shares between 10 and 20 percent in emerging economies like Brazil and China, but its system of one brand, one OS and the premium nature of its products means that its market share has been limited to around 60 percent even in its biggest markets, the U.S. and Japan.

Infographic: Apple or Android Nation? Operating System Popularity Across Countries | Statista

2018’s top 10 Android apps in the U.S.

Source: Statista

The top ten Android apps in the U.S. last year had a combined download figure of 179 million. According to Priori Data, at the top of the list was Facebook Messenger with 27 million. The trending app TikTok came in second, with an impressive 21 million. Instagram rival Snapchat somehow managed to beat its main competitor – recording 19 million compared to 17 million.

Infographic