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Windows Phone sales in the UK are up 240 per cent

by Mark Tyson on 25 February 2013, 15:23

Tags: Windows Phone, Nokia (NYSE:NOK), LG Electronics (066570.KS), PC

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The latest research from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech (KWC) has encouraging figures for the adoption of Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform in the UK. The market research company found that the user base of Windows Phones in Britain has grown by 700,000 in the past year, that’s an increase of 240 per cent year-on-year. Also, looking at the market overall, in the three months to January 2013, Windows Phone (WP) market share has reached 6.2 per cent, up from 2.4 per cent this time last year.

The key figures

The twin titans of Android and iOS still dominate smartphone sales in Blighty with 56 per cent and 30 per cent of the market respectively but WP has elbowed RIM aside (5.8 per cent) to get third place with 6.2 per cent.

Android quitters bolster WP sales figures

Who are the buyers who choose WP? Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech research says “In Great Britain, 17% of new Windows customers switched from Android, 26% from Symbian, 6% from RIM and just 2% from iOS. 47% were first time smartphone buyers”. So whilst most of the new WP owners are first-time smartphone buyers, a significant number switched from Android.

Sunnebo says it’s important to understand and analyse where the new WP adopters come from for marketing purposes. “Understanding the source of growth for the Windows platform is crucial to devise and implement the right marketing and sales strategy. The fact that nearly one in five new customers switched from an Android device should give Microsoft, and its partners, confidence that its OS has what it takes to bring the fight to more established platforms.” He concluded that “As almost 30% of its customers switch from rival OS’s, the worry that Microsoft will have to rely on attracting the dwindling pool of first time smartphone buyers to drive future growth is reduced.”

Nokia launches the Lumia 520 and Lumia 720 WP8 smartphones

As predicted last week we have seen two new WP8 handsets from Nokia today; the budget Lumia 520 and mid-range Lumia 720. The Lumia 520 sounds an especially capable and stylish smartphone for the price. It is supposed to launch in March at around €139. It should end up under £100 in the UK on PAYG if the Lumia 620 experience is anything to go by.

LG says it has no plans to make Windows Phone 8 handsets, buys WebOS from HP

Just as things are looking up for the WP platform it seems like LG has decided to turn away from any plans of producing WP smartphones. However it does seem like LG’s hands might be full with its recently announced plans to support the Firefox OS on smartphones and also its acquisition of WebOS source code and patents from HP today. However LG says it plans to use WebOS in its smart TVs rather than for smartphones.



HEXUS Forums :: 22 Comments

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That makes 24 users now in total!

Nah but serious, I got a HTC HD7 when it was reletively knew out and I'll be switching to Android soon. The interface is truly beautiful but it lacks so much, especially in the app department. Maybe WP8 fixes many of my complaints, I'm not even going to bother finding out simply because I don't care, I've used Android 4.2 and like it more.
Another major version or two and I might give em a go. Microsoft haven't really been trying hard enough over recent years in the mobile market, they are still playing catch-up too much for my liking.
No surprise, I went from a HTC Desire HD to my Nokia Lumia 800 and wont be going back to either HTC or Android.
just ‘upgraded’ my work phone from desire hd to a nokia lumia 820.

as a geek, the lack of apps and overall functionality are disappointing. Yes, it looks nice, but i cant see how to connect to my home pc (short of the official app) to copy across some music and background pics.
no live tiles for on /off of wifi, gps and bluetooth
no option to create own ringtones

wish i could go back!
For a geek you do have more options with Android.

Bit of an observation though, for a geek I'm a bit perplexed you can't figure out how to do most of the things you highlighted!?