HTC has stolen the crown from Motorola and Samsung to become the No. 1 Android smartphone handset provider in the United States, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech US.
HTC now makes up 35 percent of Android sales while Motorola and Samsung hold 29 percent and 18 percent, respectively. Less than a year ago, Motorola made up over half of all Android sales and HTC had only 30 percent share.
But Motorola has been a supplier of the widely publicized Droids on Verizon Wireless’ network, so what gives? Kantar Consumer Insight Director Lara Biddiscombe explains that while the Droid series accounts for the majority of Motorola’s Android sales, HTC has widened its portfolio and makes devices for all major carriers, including Evo on Sprint, MyTouch on T-Mobile USA as well as Droid on Verizon.
HTC is also helped by its lower prices – 68 percent of its devices sold for less than $150 compared with 57 percent of Motorola’s, making it more appealing to younger consumers, Biddiscombe says.
The researchers also note that the Droid franchise is a key driver for Android, growing at a faster rate than all other Android models together and accounting for almost half of all Android sales in the latest quarter.
Android models from Samsung and LG are starting to make an impact on the market, now accounting for 18 percent and 10 percent of Android sales in the latest 12 weeks compared with their standings a year ago. Samsung, in particular, has shown “incredible growth” in the smartphone and Android market, according to Biddiscombe. The Samsung Droid Charge recently launched on Verizon.