Android increases UK smartphone market share

Android continues to be the dominant operating system in the UK smartphone market, according to new research.

Figures released by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech show that in the 12-week period ending August 7th Android had a 47.1 per cent share of the sector, a 24.2 per cent increase from the same period in 2010.

BlackBerry was second with a 21.5 per cent stake, followed by Apple in third which held 20.8 per cent.

"While smartphones are quickly becoming the norm, there are still new sales opportunities for manufacturers that innovate in terms of design," Kantar Worldpanel ComTech global consumer insight director Dominic Sunnebo states, adding that the design of many products is "becoming too standardised", with some 90 per cent of devices revealed to be in a candybar shape.

He went on to note there as some 17 million Britons over the age of 45 who are yet to own a smartphone, this could be a key area for manufacturers to target.

Previous research by the organisation showed that 67 per cent of all mobiles bought in the UK in the 12 weeks leading up to July 10th were smartphones.