Android smartphone shipments increased by a staggering 886% in Q2 2010, with companies such as HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG offloading a record number of units.
“Android is gaining impressive momentum in markets around the world. In the United States, for example, we have seen the largest carrier, Verizon, heavily promoting high-profile Android devices, [including] the Droid by Motorola and the Droid Incredible by HTC,” said Canalys principal analyst Chris Jones.
“These products have been well received by the market, with consumers eager to download and engage with mobile applications and services, such as Internet browsing, social networking, games and navigation.”
Indeed, the US market – which grew an impressive 41% year on year – is currently the largest smartphone market in the world, with 14.7 million units accounting for 23% of total global shipments in Q2 2010.
“Android devices collectively represented a 34% share in the quarter and with growth of 851% Android became the largest smartphone platform in the country,” he explained.
Nevertheless, shipments of BlackBerry smartphones grew by 41%, with RIM managing to retain its leadership position in both North and Latin America.
Similarly, initial shipments of the iPhone 4 were “strong” and contributed to Apple’s 61% growth and worldwide market share of 13% for the quarter.
“[However], analysis of Canalys’ detailed, globally consistent data shows it is the collective growth of Android device shipments across a range of handset vendors’ portfolios that is most remarkable,” emphasized Jones.
