Android’s success is extending into Southeast Asia, where it is now the top-selling smartphone platform, with volumes growing 1,000% in the course of a year, according to market research.
GfK Asia estimates Android accounted for around 40% of handsets sold during the third quarter, climbing above BlackBerry and Symbian operating systems.
The three platforms power a combined 90% of an estimated 4.7 million smartphones sold in the region during the quarter. Overall shipment volumes grew 9% sequentially, and the total value of units sold grew 6% over the same period to nearly $1.5 billion (€1.1 billion).
GfK notes that there is variation between the most popular platforms in individual markets, with RIM still in the lead in the major market of Indonesia, while Symbian is on top in Vietnam.