NPD is reporting that Google Android smartphones outsold the Apple iPhone in the United States for the first time in Q1 2010. Based on consumer sales, Android-powered devices accounted for 28 percent of consumer sales, putting Android ahead of Apple (21 percent) for the first time and catching up to RIM, still in first place at 36 percent.
NPD credits aggressive marketing and discounting for Android’s surge:
“As in the past, carrier distribution and promotion have played a crucial role in determining smartphone market share,” said Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD. “In order to compete with the iPhone, Verizon Wireless has expanded its buy-one-get-one offer beyond RIM devices to now include all of their smartphones.”
Don’t expect the dust to settle too soon. The upcoming BlackBerry 6, Windows Phone 7, and iPhone OS 4.0 are all signs that no one has conceded the war just yet. Even webOS with its new found HP deep pockets is still in the running.