Google likes to speak about what number of Android units there are on the market (“3 billion energetic units and counting” as recently as April), and it is true: Android’s persistently maintained a 70ish % share of the worldwide cellular OS market since 2017. That is not the entire story, although, and particularly not within the US. Stateside, more than half of new smartphone sales are iPhones. Younger individuals in America particularly actually gravitate to iOS; final yr, AP Telephones Editor Will wrote about how US teenagers’ choice for iOS illustrated a possible death spiral for Android in America.
However this week, we noticed some encouraging indicators that Android is making positive aspects within the premium house. Pixel uptake has been traditionally robust this yr within the US, and internationally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 cracked the top 10 list for best-selling smartphones last quarter — the primary time a Samsung flagship has graced that checklist since 2018. That is particularly spectacular given the iPhone 16’s launch throughout the identical interval. It might develop into a fluke, however an Android optimist may take this knowledge as an indication that Apple’s dominance within the high-end and US markets is beginning to slip.
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your weekly digest of Google’s goings-on. I spend my days as Google Editor studying and writing about what Google’s as much as throughout Android, Pixel, and extra, and sum it up proper right here on this column. That is the Google information it is advisable to perceive this week.
Issues are trying up for Android
The strongest indicator that issues are getting higher for Android within the US is one we actually ought to take with a grain of salt. Net analytics agency Statcounter printed a chart this week displaying that Google’s total cellular market share in North America shot from under five percent in September to nearly 13 percent in October. Apple’s share fell from about 56 % to 51 % in the identical interval. Statcounter analyzes internet visitors knowledge to find out which units individuals are utilizing month to month, so this is not exhausting gross sales knowledge. However assuming Statcounter did not expertise a really pronounced glitch, its findings indicate one thing actually is occurring right here.
I am admittedly incredulous of Statcounter’s findings, however they do observe with current developments. In October, Counterpoint Analysis printed its findings that the third quarter of 2024 was Google’s best quarter ever for smartphone gross sales. And as reported by 9to5Google, Counterpoint individually acknowledged that Google’s US smartphone shipments have been up 20 percent yr over yr final quarter — and Apple’s have been down two %. Motorola noticed comparable positive aspects to Google.
From the AP Telephones Editor
The Pixel 9’s strong sales numbers could be the key to Android’s survival
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Counterpoint’s knowledge reveals Samsung took a substantial year-over-year hit within the US final quarter, which complicates issues just a little bit; US shipments have been down 13 %. However on the identical time, the early-2024 Galaxy S24 was the 10th-best-selling phone in the world final quarter, marking the primary time in years a premium Samsung cellphone has made that checklist prior to now six years.
It is too early to extrapolate developments from any of this, however except Google’s 24Q3 efficiency was a fluke, it paints the image of a shifting US smartphone market — to Google’s profit. And as Will factors out, what’s good for Pixel is sweet for Android on the entire: “this type of ahead momentum is precisely what Google must cement itself because the ‘third choice’ alongside Samsung and Apple,” he writes. Google’s additionally started selling refurbished older Pixels, and its upcoming Pixel 9a is shaping as much as be a banger. Google is onto one thing right here, even when it did not almost triple its North American market share within the span of a month the best way Statcounter’s knowledge implies.
It is beginning to really feel like Android’s poised for a comeback within the US.
It is exhausting to know what may trigger shifts like these. Counterpoint analyst Maurice Khlaehne reckons AI performance is likely to be driving gross sales, and Google’s definitely leaning into AI options in its Pixel 9 advertising. On the identical time, the Android and iPhone expertise has been getting increasingly more comparable: final yr’s iPhone 15 fashions have been the primary to come back with USB-C charging, and this yr’s iOS 18 consists of theming choices which might be greater than just a little like options Android’s been exploring since 2021. RCS might even have one thing to do with it; now that mainly each trendy smartphone has texting options like high-quality media attachments and typing indicators, iMessage is not fairly the must-have unique function it was.
Regardless of the motive, it is beginning to really feel like Android’s poised for a comeback within the US, and if a string of intriguing leaks from final week is something to go by, Google’s in a great spot to capitalize on this momentum. Turning up the warmth on market chief Apple would assist your entire trade: when there’s actual competitors, huge gamers are pressured to innovate yr over yr to draw prospects who’ve viable choices elsewhere. I simply hope AI options aren’t actually the driving drive — I might a lot moderately see generational leaps in battery life and digicam efficiency than extra succesful picture generator apps, and I do not assume I am alone there.
Final week’s version
New Pixel devices leaked years in advance this week
Google’s gChips division may be very leaky
Google rising its US marketshare towards the iPhone is not the one Android-iOS information this week. RCS performance on iPhones now works just a little higher with Android telephones, and Google’s apparently working to deliver a key Android function to iOS units. Oh, and Android 15 bought its first patch — although it is not a really thrilling one.
Fast Share may very well be coming to Apple units. Fast Share, previously Close by Share, is Android’s model of Airdrop; it enables you to share information with suitable close by units. Writing for Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman studies that he discovered references in Google’s Close by Github repository to macOS and iOS. The implication is that Google’s engaged on a Fast Share app for iPhones and Macs, which might additional erode Apple’s ecosystem lock-in benefit and push extra iPhone prospects to offer Android a shot.
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And probably to iPadOS too
Emoji reactions from Google Messages now present up appropriately on iOS. I truly do not know what modified to allow this, however beforehand, emoji textual content message reactions despatched from Android to iOS would present up on the iPhone as a separate textual content message. Now, as reported by the Verge, emoji reactions despatched from both platform present up as supposed on each ends. One other little chip in Apple’s backyard wall.
Full story
Android emoji reactions now work on iPhone messages after secret fix
Apple or Google silently mounted the problem
The primary Android 15 patch landed on Pixel telephones this week, squashing a couple of bugs. It addresses issues with Bluetooth, digicam software program, display screen brightness, and extra, so in the event you’re utilizing a Pixel, make sure you seize it.
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Google’s first Android 15 patch for Pixels is now live
Pixel 9 collection house owners will not wish to miss this
