Android Tops Apple, RIM in U.S. Smartphone Market Share

Google's Android operating system had a successful third quarter, capturing about 44 percent of the U.S. smartphone market ahead of Apple and Research in Motion, according to two reports.

NPD Group and Canalys released reports on Monday that said Android was installed in 44 percent (NPD) and 43.6 percent (Canalys) of smartphones shipped during the last quarter.

NPD said 44 percent of smartphones purchased in the third quarter were Android-based, up 11 percent from the previous quarter. Apple came in second with 23 percent, up 1 percent, follwed by RIM, which declined from 28 percent to 22 percent to land in third place.

"Much of Android's quarterly share growth came at the expense of RIM, rather than Apple," Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD, said in a statement. "The HTC EVO 4G, Motorola Droid X, and other new high-end Android devices have been gaining momentum at carriers that traditionally have been strong RIM distributors, and the recent introduction of the BlackBerry Torch has done little to stem the tide."

Compared to the third quarter of 2009, NPD said RIM declined by 53 percent while Apple's market share declined 21 percent. "The iPhone has held its own at AT&T, but Apple faces challenges in further expanding its domestic market share, while still retaining exclusivity," Rubin said.

Canalys had similar results: Android had 43.6 percent of the market, followed by Apple with 26.2 percent and RIM with 24.2 percent. Microsoft trailed with 3 percent, though the Windows Phone 7 launch might help that, the company said.

Globally, Nokia held the top spot with 33 percent of the market, followed by Apple with 17 percent, and RIM with 15 percent.