Android controls 50% of smartphone market, report claims

The Android operating system now controls 50% of the smartphone market, according to a new report from research firm Canalys.

The report comes as Google is continuing to battle against both Apple and Microsoft in control for dominance of the mobile phone sector.

The report found that the smartphone market grew 73% year on year, with over 107 million units shipping in the second quarter, while Android controls 48% of the global market share.

“Android, the number one platform by shipments since Q4 2010, was also the strongest growth driver this quarter, with Android-based smart phone shipments up 379% over a year ago to 51.9 million units,” Canalys said in a statement.

“The final country-level data delivered to clients today shows there were particularly strong performances from Android devices in APAC countries, such as South Korea, where Android holds an 85% platform share, and Taiwan, where it has 71%.”