For First Time, Android Surpasses iOS as Largest Smartphone OS

I guess it’s a good thing Apple decided to finally jump on board with Verizon if they want to try and compete with the juggernaut now known as Android.  In Millenial Media’s new Mobile Mix report, our favorite mobile OS took over the top smartphone spot on their network for ad impressions.  An 8% increase month-over-month helped propel Android to the forefront, giving it a 46% share while iOS dropped back to 32%.  The two battled it out to a tie over the last couple of months, but a strong holiday push must have made the difference and we’re wondering now if Andy will ever look back?  A 14% gap is pretty significant if you ask me.  

Here are some other bullets from the new report:

• Android ad requests grew 141% from Q3 to Q4 and since January, Android has grown 3130%
• When breaking down the revenue generated by apps in Q4—Android had a 55% share as opposed to 39% for Apple. Android had a 13% increase quarter-over-quarter.
• HTC claimed the number three position in the Top 15 Manufacturers – with a 9% month-over-month increase. There is a direct correlation with this increase and HTC having the highest number of devices (nine) in the Top 30 Mobile Device-Ranking including the debut of four new devices on the Millennial network: HTC Nexus One (Passion), HTC Evo, HTC Droid Incredible, and the HTC Desire.
• Verizon experienced a 2% increase month-over-month in December. Verizon’s impression share is likely a result of the popularity of Droid devices and the carrier’s ability to offer 13 of the Top 30 Mobile Devices

Talk about some serious numbers there.  And just think, we’ve only got four new 4G LTE devices on the way, an impressive lineup from AT&T and the XOOM all coming in the first half of this year.  I love Android.

Thoughts?

More info here.