The latest Ipsos Reid’s Mobil-ology report, which looks at smartphone, tablet and eReader usage in Canada, has found Apple as the top brand for both smartphones and tablets. The manufacturer accounted for 29% of smartphones and 42% of tablets in August 2012. Holding down second place is none other than Canada’s own Research In Motion. Its smartphones still hold 27% of the market while the PlayBook holds a 19% share. But both are facing fast growing competition from Android.
“In terms of Smartphones, the big story in this wave of Mobil-ology is the success of devices using an Android operating system,” says Mary Beth Barbour, Senior Vice President with Ipsos Reid. “While Apple’s iPhone continues to make steady gains, Smartphones using the Android OS have been living up to the buzz making the most ground in the wake of RIM’s losses.”
In fact, Android is now the dominant mobile operating system in Canada, accounting for 36% of smartphones. This is a 10% increase since January 2011. Android tablets are also showing signs of growth with Samsung, Acer and ASUS Android tablets now accounting for 28% of this market. Samsung in particular has been growing quickly. Both its smartphone and tablet shares have doubled since January 2011 to 18% and 9% respectively.
Overall, the report found that smartphones penetration stood at 40% in August, up from 23% in January 2011. Tablet penetration grew 3% to 15% during the same period.
Read more: Ipsos Reid (Source: Mobile Syrup)