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Apple Takes Record Smartphone Profit Share in Q4 as Android Reels - Report (GOOGL) (AAPL)

February 26, 2015 11:59 AM EST

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone operating profit reached US$21 billion in Q4 2014. The Android operating system captured a record-low 11 percent global smartphone profit share during the quarter. In contrast, Apple iOS took a record-high 89 percent profit share.

Linda Sui, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, "Global smartphone operating profit grew 31 percent annually from US$16.2 billion in Q4 2013 to US$21.2 billion in Q4 2014. Android hardware vendors combined took a record-low 11 percent global smartphone profit share, down from 29 percent one year ago. In contrast, Apple iOS captured a record-high 89 percent profit share, up from 71 percent in Q4 2013."

Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Apple iOS continues to tighten its grip on the smartphone industry. Apple's strategy of premium products and lean logistics is proving hugely profitable. Android's weak profitability for its hardware partners will worry Google. If major smartphone manufacturers, like Samsung or Huawei, cannot make decent profits from the Android ecosystem, they may be tempted in the future to look at alternative platforms such as Microsoft, Tizen or Firefox."

Exhibit 1: Global Smartphone Operating Profit Share in Q4 2014 [1]

Global Smartphone Operating Profit (US$, Billions)

Q4 2013

Q4 2014

Apple iOS

11.4

18.8

Android

4.8

2.4

Microsoft

0.0

0.0

BlackBerry

0.0

0.0

Others

0.0

0.0

Total

16.2

21.2

Global Smartphone Operating Profit Share (%)

Q4 2013

Q4 2014

Apple iOS

70.5%

88.7%

Android

29.5%

11.3%

Microsoft

0.0%

0.0%

BlackBerry

0.0%

0.0%

Others

0.0%

0.0%

Total

100.0%

100.0%

Total Growth Year-over-Year %

~

31.4%

Source: Strategy Analytics



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