According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics (www.strategyanalytics.com), global smartphone operating profit reached US$21 billion in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2014. The Android operating system captured a record-low 11% global smartphone profit share during the quarter. In contrast, while Apple’s iOS took a record-high 89% profit share.
Global smartphone operating profit grew 31% annually from US$16.2 billion in Q4 2013 to US$21.2 billion in Q4 2014, notes the research group.
“Apple iOS continues to tighten its grip on the smartphone industry,” says Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. “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.”
