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Apple Is Still Getting The Last Laugh

This article is more than 10 years old.

Image via CrunchBase

If you want to generate some hate mail these days, it seems all one has to do is either talk down the prospects of a company that investors love such as Research in Motion or sound a bit too optimistic about another company that investors love to hate such as Apple. Such is life in the constant battle for Smartphone and mobile supremacy. But regardless of how investors feel about their favorite companies, nothing speaks louder than numbers, and what has been said of late is that Apple is winning.

Kantar Worldpanel Com Tech, a research firm based in London released a report today that shows that Apple has regained its Smartphone lead in the U.S. over Google’s Android based phones. For the period of August 5 through October 28, the report said that Apple’s IOS had a market share of 48.1% while Android had only a 46.7% share.

How did this happen so quickly? The answer is simple – the iPhone 5. What this also proves is how wrong many people were – particularly those who rushed to criticize Apple for the iPhone 5 release while screaming “cannibalization” to anyone who would listen. This seems to be a recurring theme.

The last time Apple earned the top spot in U.S sales was after the release of the iPhone 4S, a lead which it then kept for 3 consecutive quarters. Still Android enjoys a meaningful lead in international sales. But how long will this last? Perhaps not too long since Apple has started to increase share not only in Europe, but also in China.

However, this news will likely not put to rest the tired idea that Apple is somehow on the decline. It is true that RIM and Microsoft might emerge in better positions than they were and steal some market share, but will it be meaningful enough to worry Apple? I doubt it. In the meantime the company just continues to go about its business and executing its mission as it sees fit.

I think those that rushed to criticize Apple for it recent decisions should admit that perhaps they were wrong. But I’m not holding my breath. Likewise, those who want to proclaim that Apple can no longer can innovate - the company is getting the last laugh.