Some claims just seem too much to believe, so when Microsoft’s Frank Shaw claimed that the company’s Windows Phones had in fact outsold Apple’s hugely popular iPhone in seven different markets, more than a few of us were a little skeptical. Turns out he was right, but he didn’t tell the entire story. More details right after the jump.
Windows Phone handsets did in fact outsell the iPhone in seven different markets, with the list consisting of
- Argentina
- India
- Poland
- Russia
- South Africa
- Ukraine
Those eagle-eyed amongst you will no doubt have noticed that there are just six countries listed. That’s because the seventh isn’t a country at all, but rather a collection of smaller Eastern-European countries that include the likes of Croatia. Not exactly huge markets, but still, better than nothing!
The numbers come courtesy of IDC, who say that there were fewer than 100,000 Windows Phones sold during the fourth quarter of 2012, which puts things into perspective. Whilst Windows Phone may have seen some success in smaller markets, it’s the likes of the UK, Canada, Australia and the United States that really see the numbers rack up. Here, both iOS and Android rule the roost, with Windows Phone making up the numbers in third place, scrambling along with the likes of BlackBerry.
Interestingly, the areas in which Windows Phone is now seeing some success are the same areas in which Nokia has historically been strong. Lower cost, and cheaper to manufacture, such handsets have proven popular with those not wishing to spend iPhone-money on a smartphone.
Does this lend more credence to Apple’s reported aim to release a cheaper, less well equipped iPhone in the near future? Possibly, though we suspect Apple itself would point to the current iPhone 4S as its cheaper alternative with the iPhone 5 obviously being the company’s flagship device.
For its part, Windows Phone has now gone through three major new versions since its redesign into what eventually became Windows Phone 7. None have really managed to gain any real traction, whilst Google and Apple have grown to dominate the market. Time is running out for Windows Phone to make a real impact at the top end of the market, else it will be consigned to picking up the scraps left over by the two big boys.
(via NYTBits)
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