Microsoft has claimed that its Windows Phone devices are now outselling Apple's iPhone in 24 markets.
Microsoft's director of communications, Christopher Flores has told TechRadar that the Windows Phone platform has now reached second place in 14 markets worldwide and that the Windows Phone devices are now ahead of Apple's iPhone smartphone in at least 24 markets, although the company's executive declined to give specific region details for its claims.
Flores further indicated that the Windows Phone devices have been doing well in emerging markets (that also includes India) where the iPhone has a high priced. In addition, Flores told TechRadar that with Nokia's help, Microsoft is attacking both ends (high-end and budget) of the smartphone segment.
The Windows Phone 8-based smartphones are said to be outperforming iPhones in Italy, where the carrier subsidies make the Microsoft's OS platform a good proposition, while in Spain the Windows Phone devices are expected to seize Apple's second spot soon, according to TechRadar.
An earlier Windows Phone statistics report by AdDuplex for November revealed that Nokia dominates the platform with 90 percent market share.
The report noted that Nokia owned the Windows Phone device market, with 9 out of 10 Windows Phone 8 devices in use being made by Nokia.
Further, the report revealed that Nokia's budget smartphone, the Lumia 520 was the most popular Windows Phone with 26.5 percent market share globally. Notably, the recently unveiled Nokia Lumia 1520 phablet was at nineteenth position in the Windows Phone 8 chart.
An earlier report had claimed that Microsoft was negotiating with Samsung for making Windows Phone devices, and in return would offer $1 billion to the South Korean manufacturer.
On Monday, a report claimed that Sony has tied-up with a Taiwanese company named ODM Compal Communications for at least one or two Windows Phone 8-based smartphone units. The report also revealed that the order volumes for the initial one or two Windows Phone 8-based smartphones would be around ten thousand units each. In addition, the report suggested Sony's intentions to sell Windows Phone devices in the US via telecom operators which would expand the Windows Phone ecosystem for the market.
Update: In a statement to Neowin, a Microsoft representative detailed the countries where Windows Phone devices out-ship, and the where the platform occupies the number two spot:
We've seen record sales of Windows Phone this holiday worldwide, nearly doubling phone sales during Christmas week (YOY). In the third quarter this year, according to IDC, Windows Phone reinforced its position as a top three smartphone operating system and was the fastest-growing platform among the leading operating systems with 156% year-over-year gain. Windows Phone is the #2 smartphone operating system in 14 markets, and shipped more units than iPhone in 24 markets in Q3. Our portfolio continues to expand: from award-winning flagship devices like the Nokia Lumia 928/1020/1520, to affordable new innovations like the Lumia 520/625/1320 and Huawei W1/W2.Markets where Windows Phone is the number two mobile operating system (according to Microsoft):Markets where Windows Phone devices out-ship the iPhone (according to Microsoft):
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