Windows Phone sales surge -- is it real or just a blip? (Up over 115% from a year ago)

Computer World ^ | 08/08/2012 | By Preston Gralla

[SeekAndFind]

Analyst reports released in the last two days show Windows Phone sales surging between 115% and 227% compared to a year ago. Does this mean Windows Phone is finally gaining traction, or is it just a blip on the radar?

IDC reports that in the second quarter of this year, Windows Phone sales jumped by 115% compared to a year ago, to 5.4 million units, and a 3.5% market share. IDC also notes that Windows Phone "narrowed the gap between itself and BlackBerry last quarter in its bid to become the number 3 mobile OS in terms of market share." A year ago in the second quarter, Windows Phone had 2.3% market share and Blackberry 11.5% market share. Now Windows Phone has 5.4% to Blackberry's 7.4%.

Canalys reports similar numbers. It reports that Windows Phone grew by 277% in the second quarter compared to a year previous, and shipped 5.1 million units for a 3.2% market share. That's up from 1.2% market share and 1.3 million units a year previous. A year go, Canalys says, Blackberry had 11.6% market share; now it has 8.5%.

That certainly sounds like good news. And to a certain extent, it is. But keep in mind that those high growth percentages come as a result of Windows Phone having such an insignificant market share a year ago. It's easy to rack up big percent gains when you start with small numbers.

And also keep in mind that Android dwarfs Windows Phone sales, and on per-unit basis is growing dramatically faster than Windows Phone. IDC says that Android had a 46.9% market share a year ago, shipping 50.8 million devices, and now has a 68.1% market share, shipping 104.8 million devices. That means that it shipped 54 million more devices this year than a year ago,

[longtermmemmory]

so they sold six phones instead of the usual five?

[Johnny B.]

Every one of those people are buying a phone that is already obsolete.

[cableguymn]

or... could it be that gave millions away during their challenge a month or so ago..

so the question must be asked. how many where sold, and how many where given away?

[Scutter]

Full Disclosure: I work for Microsoft (but not the Windows Phone division).

Those that don’t know me probably will be skeptical, but I’m not one to pimp out Microsoft products just because I work there. Windows Phones are awesome. My Samsung Focus S Windows Phone is by far the best phone that I’ve ever had.

I had an iPhone 3GS and was very happy with it. When Apple came out with one of the OS updates (I forget which one iOS4 I think), the phone got VERY unstable and VERY slow. Simple actions that used to be almost instantaneous would take 30 seconds or longer! And Apple does not provide a way to “downgrade” back to the previous OS version. I put up with it for awhile, but finally decided to make the plunge and get an Windows Phone 7.

I got the Samsung Focus S. This is BY FAR the best phone that I have ever had. It doesn’t have a dual core processor like most of the Android phones do now. But the performance is actually better than my son’s brand new multi-core, top-end Android phone. The OS is just a lot more efficient. Because this is not using a power-hungry dual-core processor, the battery life on the phone is significantly better than my son’s android, and even much better than my iPhone 3GS was. Less power consumption also means smaller battery, which is a big reason that this phone is so slim and light. I love the UI, and the phone is extremely stable.

The WP App Store has many apps, but not as many as Apple, and certainly not as many as Android. In practice, I haven’t found this to be a big deal, as the mainstream apps that I actually use are all there (as opposed to the stuff I bought on the iPhone, but then never used).

Now Microsoft has announced Windows Phone 8, most likely to come out later this year. And as one of the previous posters said, the current Windows (7) Phones won’t be compatible with this. However, I don’t view this as a big deal. I’m happy with what I have now, and Microsoft will be releasing an interim update (Windows Phone 7.5) that will bring some of the Windows 8 features (mostly UI stuff) to the older phones like mine. And in not too long I’ll be eligible for a free upgrade through my carrier.

I’ll have to see if the Windows Phone 8 will really provide me a benefit. I am concerned that it will be a less efficient OS (like Android), and that the phones will be larger and heavier due to the need for a larger battery (like Android phones). I have no knowledge that this is the case, but it’s something to consider.

[MS from the OC]

Biggest problem with this report is it does not include sales of Windows Mobile devices.

Unlike iOS, Android, and BlackBerry OS, most analysts break Microsoft’s mobile device sales into two categories, WinPhone and WinMobile.

The only way to tell if Microsoft is having any success is to see the combined sales year over year. My bet is that it’s declining as consumers with WinMobile devices come off contract and choose iOS or Android devices.

[nhwingut]

I love my Nokia Windows phone. I really dig the tiles, versus the icons. It’s super fast - and very durable.

As a long time techie I know Microsoft gets a bad rap, and sometimes rightfully so, but they are making great strides in the mobile phone sector.

Only con is the lack of apps, but they are addressing by building up the dev community.

[the anti-liberal]

I've had my Windows phone for a year now (HTC 7 Pro) and I've been happy with it, but I don't understand why sales are picking up now when Win8 is coming out soon, which is incompatible with them.

I like my physical keyboard, and I hope a Win8 phone will be available with one too.

[Paradox]

I hope good things for Windows Phone. Why? Because Android sucks.

Trust me, I've tried to like it, because I refuse to overpay for Apple, but seriously, other than a handful of devices, Android implementations are pale shadows of iOS on an iPhone. I have tried for years to convince myself that Android is/can be just as good, but as it stands now, its just not, and yes, I have used every version, rooted and tweaked every setting, its just not as reliable or good at this point.

So I am hoping for Windows Phone to get some market share, maybe give Android a run for its money, they way AMD pushed Intel into making great things. We need more than one alternative to iOS.

I have tried a Windows Phone, and was very impressed, once you get over the idea that its NOT an iOS copy like Android.

[HamiltonJay]

So last year they sold 10, this year they sold 21... sorry but Window’s phone want to be a player in the market they need to sell 10,000% what they did last year.

I debated porting some of my apps to Windows, and frankly they have hardly any apps available so I’m sure I’d get some sales... but when ANGRY BIRDS can sell 50+ Million copies of their software in a few days, decides porting to your platform isn’t worth it, you know your platform is not relevant.

Now, that doesn’t mean it won’t be some time later, but for now Windows Phone is a non started.

[HamiltonJay]

I had a iphone 3G, and the 4.0 update made it unusable because the phone didn’t have the processign power to support it and I knew going in that was likely going to happen the 3GS runs 4.0 fine, I would not and have not updated to 5.0 on a 3GS though.

Apple writes OS for its current hardware, its part of their planned obsolecense strategy.

I agree that those foolish enough to upgrade their OS on an iPhone with an older phone get screwed... but it doesn’t matter anyway because the APPS move the OS forward anyway, if you still had 3.0 running on your phone go try and find apps that are still compiled and selling for that platform.

If you get into the Apple ecosystem be prepared to upgrade at least every other year, and be skeptical of OS updates between hardware refreshes, that’s just the way it is.

I dont’ write off microsoft as they are big and can wage ward of attrition, but if MS is going to be a player in mobile space its likely to come from the Computer/tablet model of Windows 8, I really don’t think the phone is going to be relevant anytime soon

[daniel1212]

On another note, seeing as the president uses the Universal Service Fund tax to promote the ObamaPhone (actual name) under the premise that "Communication should not be limited to people in relation to what they are able to afford" (replace "communication" with other desired subjects), then more phone use helps this campaign, while perhaps it will lead to these phones being offered for votes.

The Obama Phone Program

What exactly is the free Obama phone? The free Obama phone is a program that is meant to help the financially unstable who cannot afford access to a cell phone. Communication should not be limited to people in relation to what they are able to afford. The Lifeline program was actually created decades ago to help low income families have access to land lines. Over the years the cost of cell phones and cellular service has decreased and the program has been extended to cover cell phones.

During the Bush administration, there was the introduction of a project that gave subsidies to those who could not afford a phone. The basic principle of the program is that everyone should have access to emergency services like 911. There are a number of deaths that take place every year do to lack of proper communication, and access to emergency services should be a right for everyone.

The free Obama phone is an important program, especially for low income families that would otherwise not have access to basic communications. There are different plans to choose from. Some plans offer fewer minutes and more texting and some even include rollover minutes. Make sure you check out all the plans before choosing the one that is right for you. http://obamaphone.net/

[SunkenCiv]

IMO, two things at work here — number one, Android implementations sometimes leave a lot to be desired, and two, Windows tablets are starting to get better, or maybe just better PR. :’) Thanks SeekAndFind.

[tacticalogic]

Does that 7.5 upgrade get you hardware encryption? That’s the corporate show-stopper.

[martin_fierro]

I’ll have to see if the Windows Phone 8 will really provide me a benefit. I am concerned that it will be a less efficient OS (like Android), and that the phones will be larger and heavier due to the need for a larger battery (like Android phones).

I hear ya.

Had to shell out an extra $5 or so for an extended Li-Ion battery + expanded case for the Samsung Galaxy S II. That huge, beautiful screen + all those features (WiFi, Bluetooth, tethering, GPS, dual-core, etc. etc.) really eat up battery life.

Now it almost goes 1 day between recharges.