Kantar: Windows Phone Now Holds 5.6% Of US Smartphone Market, 6.8% on Verizon

According to latest Kantar Worldpanel data, Microsoft’s Windows Phone captured 5.6% of US smartphone market sales for the quarter ended April 2013. This is up from 3.8% of market share Microsoft had at this same time last year.

Another interesting stat is about the people who purchased a Windows Phone device in the last year.

42 percent came from a feature phone, 25 percent from another Windows (Phone or Mobile) device, and 23 percent from Android.

Kantar Worldpanel ComTech analyst Mary-Ann Parlato continues:

While iOS is similarly effective at capturing Android users and their own users, only 31% came from a featurephone device, showcasing Windows strength in attracting featurephone users.

“But it’s not just about capturing the market that is yet to upgrade. Windows is also seeing success in the younger group. When looking at those who changed device, between 2011 and 2012 Windows was more successful at capturing older consumers aged 50-64. But when looking at those changing now and in the last year, we’re seeing Windows now gaining share among those aged 25-34.”

This is exactly what Microsoft is targeting at. To win over first time smartphone users with solid Windows Phone devices. Kantar feels that Windows Phone has strength in attracting more feature phone users.

As expected Nokia’s Lumia devices were the main market share drivers.  With the launch of devices like Nokia Lumia 521 and Nokia Lumia 928, I think Lumia Windows Phone device sales should continue to grow in the US.

Of note is that Blackberry’s comeback continues to fizzle out spectacularly, to such a degree that the analysts do not even mention the Canadian company and its products.  Amazingly Blackberry’s market share is down from the 3 months ending March, when it was 0.9%, indicating any initial tepid launch enthusiasm has waned rather rapidly.

Also of note is that Windows Phone has hit 6.8% market share on Verizon, on the strength of the Nokia Lumia 822 in the main.

Significantly it appears Windows Phone took share mainly from iOS, which is down 3.4%, more than Android, which is down 0.8% YoY, and of course Blackberry, which is down 2.4%.  This gives Verizon, who have to pay steep subsidies for the iPhone, and increased incentive to push Windows Phone, given that Android and iOS appears to have reached something of a stalemate.

Hopefully we will see further progress here with the release of the Nokia Lumia 928 last month.

Source: Kantar Worldpanel via: TNW, thanks sri_tech for the tip.