iOS Sees Strongest Growth Rate in 2 Years Thanks to iPhone 7 Sales: Kantar

The latest OS sales data figures from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reveals that iOS adoption has seen a boost in three months ending October, all thanks to the sales of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Japan currently holds the top spot where iOS holds the greatest share at 51.7 percent of smartphone sales, followed by 44 percent in Great Britain, and 40.5 percent in the US.

In the US, iOS share saw a 7 percent year-on-year increase, with the share being at 33.5 percent last year in the three months ending October. Calling Apple the 'most desirable brand in the world', the report says that this is the strongest rate of growth for the OS in more than two years, as well as the highest share seen since the three months ending January 2015 (42.8 percent).

Even though Android still holds the dominant share of sales at 57.9 percent in the US, the report says the quarter saw the fifth consecutive year-on-year decline in Android share. This strong growth rate of iOS is attributed to the popularity of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in the US market. "The lack of the headphone jack has proved to be a non-issue for US iPhone consumers, as iPhone 7 was the top selling device in the three months ending October 2016, achieving 10.6 percent of smartphone sales, despite not being available for the full three month period. iPhone 7 Plus was the 4th best-selling device at 5.3 percent, behind the iPhone 6s and Samsung Galaxy S7," said Lauren Guenveur, Consumer Insight Director for Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

The iPhone also did well in other parts of the world. In Europe - France, Italy, Spain, and the UK saw in increase in iOS share, while Germany saw a decline in iOS share. In Great Britain, the iPhone 7 was the top selling device. iPhone 7 was the second best-selling phone in Urban China in the three months ending October 2016, capturing 3.8 percent of smartphone sales.