Strategy Analytics: Android Captures Tiny 11 Percent Share of Global Smartphone Profit in Q4 2014

BOSTON, Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone operating profit reached US$21 billion in Q4 2014. The Android operating system captured a record-low 11 percent global smartphone profit share during the quarter. In contrast, Apple iOS took a record-high 89 percent profit share.

Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, "Global smartphone operating profit grew 31 percent annually from US$16.2 billion in Q4 2013 to US$21.2 billion in Q4 2014. Android hardware vendors combined took a record-low 11 percent global smartphone profit share, down from 29 percent one year ago. In contrast, Apple iOS captured a record-high 89 percent profit share, up from 71 percent in Q4 2013."

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Apple iOS continues to tighten its grip on the smartphone industry. Apple's strategy of premium products and lean logistics is proving hugely profitable. Android's weak profitability for its hardware partners will worry Google. If major smartphone manufacturers, like Samsung or Huawei, cannot make decent profits from the Android ecosystem, they may be tempted in the future to look at alternative platforms such as Microsoft, Tizen or Firefox."

Exhibit 1: Global Smartphone Operating Profit Share in Q4 2014  [1]

The full report, Android Captures Tiny 11 Percent Global Smartphone Profit Share in Q4 2014, is published by the Strategy Analytics Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) service, details of which can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/bps9qhr.

About Strategy Analytics:

Strategy Analytics is a global, independent research and consulting firm. The company is headquartered in Boston, USA, with offices in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India and China. Visit www.strategyanalytics.com for more information.

Americas Contact:

Linda Sui / +1 617 614 0735 / [email protected]

EMEA Contact:

Neil Mawston / +44 1908 423 628 / [email protected]

Asia Contact:

Woody Oh / +44 1908 423 665 / [email protected]

[1]  Numbers are rounded. Data refers to realized operating profit for smartphone hardware vendors aggregated by operating system.

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SOURCE Strategy Analytics

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