iOS vs. Android Market Share: Android Leads But Windows Phone, iOS Rapidly Growing, Says Kantar Worldpanel

Apple and Microsoft's mobile operating systems have seen a minor, yet equally significant, increase in their market share.

According to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, Apple's iOS saw the biggest increase compared to Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone in the three-month period ending in April 2013.

The iOS' market share increased 2.3 percent in the U.S., however, that wasn't enough to knock Android from the top spot. Android finished the three month period with 51.7 percent of the smartphone sales, a gain of 1.4 percent. Apple's market share stands at 41.4 percent. 

Microsoft has a reason to celebrate. Although their market share is significantly low in comparison to Google and Apple, it is a comfortable gain compared to the same period last year. Windows Phone saw an increase of 1.8 percent, which lands the Redmond-based organization with 5.6 percent of the market share so far this year.

Kantar also provided figures for the major U.S. carriers.

Verizon Wireless is currently the leader with 36.3 percent, while AT&Tfinishes 10 percentage points behind at 26.3 percent, enough for second place. Sprint Nextel narrowly lands at third place with 13.1 percent, ahead of T-Mobile's 11.3 percent.

"Verizon and Sprint's slight increase is thanks to the growth of two key players. For Verizon, Windows' share rose from 0.2 [percent] in the three months ending April 2012 to 6.8 [percent] by the period ending April 2013," said Kantar Worldpanel ComTech analyst Mary-Ann Parlato. "At Sprint, they continued to reap share increases thanks to their iOS offering- iOS sales share on Sprint grew from 33.4 [percent] to 38.4 [percent] over the last year.

A driving force in Windows Phone's gain is Nokia's Lumia smartphones, Parlato said.

"Windows is also seeing success in the younger group," added Parlato. "When looking at those who changed device, between 2011 and 2012 Windows was more successful at capturing older consumers aged 50-64. But when looking at those changing now and in the last year, we're seeing Windows now gaining share among those aged 25-34."

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