Report: Windows Phone sales outpace BlackBerry in a number of key markets

According to analytic firm Kantar, Windows Phone has overtaken BlackBerry in market share in eight key global areas. It's hard to imagine for those who know only of the current struggles of the Canadian manufacturer, but there was a time when BlackBerry was number one and the name was synonymous with power using businessmen in pinstriped suits. Now, the platform is number four in those eight markets, behind Windows Phone. On a global basis though, BlackBerry remains above Windows Phone in market share.

The reason why RIM has to be worried will become clearer to you when you hear the names of the eight markets where BlackBerry trails Windows Phone. The eight are Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and the U.S., and during the 12 week period through the end of August, BlackBerry's slice of the smartphone pie in those countries averaged 3.8% compared to the 4.8% scored by Windows Phone in those countries over the same time period. And to make matters worse for RIM, their market share is down from the 8.2% it had in those eight countries last year at the same time.

The market share owned by Windows Phone in those 8 key markets rose year-over-year despite the knowledge that Windows Phone 8 phones will be released sometime in Q4. Normally, that would lead to a drop in sales as buyers hold off for the release of the newer build. The fact that the software showed any growth at all during this ramp up period to Windows Phone 8 could be considered a sign of strength. Speaking of strength, in Brazil during that 12 week period, Windows Phone commanded a 14.9% share compared to the 7.5% for the Apple iPhone.

This is all positive for Microsoft even though it trails Android's 61.2% global share for the quarter. That was up significantly from the 52.2% share scored by Google's open source OS in last year's second quarter. iOS was second with a 23.7% reading, up from 23.3% in 2012.

It's interesting to see how certain countries become so enamored with a mobile OS. In Spain, Android's market share in the second quarter was a whopping 86%/ And in the U.S., BlackBerry's market share as measured by one metrics firm, is down to 1%.

source Kantar via MobileBurn