The iPhone 5
Despite Samsung overtaking Apple globally this year in terms of internet usage on mobile devices, the anticipated launch of a low-cost iPhone device tomorrow could tip the balance in Apple’s favour, according to the latest figures from StatCounter.
StatCounter Global Stats finds that Samsung, which overtook Apple for the first time worldwide in June in terms of internet usage, has extended its lead to 25.7pc in August compared to Apple on 23.4pc.
Nokia, which led globally up until December, is now in third place on 21.7pc.
However, in the US, Apple remains the clear leader at 52.2pc compared to Samsung’s 19pc. Nokia is on 1.5pc in the US, representing an underdog opportunity for Microsoft following the announcement of its proposed partial acquisition of Nokia.
In the UK, Apple is also the clear leader in the mobile vendor battle on 46.8pc in August compared to 21.5pc for Samsung and 3.7pc for Nokia.
In India, Samsung has 26.7pc usage share while Apple, with just 1pc, currently has significant growth potential with the rumoured lower-cost iPhone.
“Over the past 12 months, Apple has increased its share in the US and UK but globally there is an on-going battle taking place between it and Samsung,” said Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter.
“Should the rumours prove true, it will be fascinating to see if a less expensive iPhone will help it increase market share against lower-cost competitors in global markets.”
