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The PhoneArena H1 2016 census results: here's what phones you are using right now

posted by Peter K. / May 16, 2016, 6:10 AM

The PhoneArena H1 2016 census results: here's what phones you are using right now

So, smartphones. We all like them—they're the hottest gadget of the day. And we're becoming dangerously addicted to them. And that's precisely why a gargantuan industry has formed around them, and it keeps on growing and churning more of the stuff. And like the internet, every year more and more people pick up a smartphone for the first time. And that's when you've got choices to make: size, hardware, software, and perhaps most importantly, pricing and brand.

In case you've stuck around long enough, you might have noticed that each year we run a 'census' of sorts that gives us a more personal insight into the market's dynamics. You know, not the raw and boring data from the major analytics agencies, but from the most important part of the chain - you, the ordinary people, our readers.

Usually, thousands of you take part in our polls, and this year is no different. 3,105 of you shared what brand phone they're currently using, allowing us to check out if how the status quo has changed since the last time we ran a census. It seems Samsung is still king - 28.21% of all those who voted own a Samsung phone. That's a small increase in comparison with 2015 but still an increase nonetheless! On the second spot, we find Microsoft, which is the brand of choice for 13.01% of all those who voted, and on the third spot, we have Apple, which is the go-to choice of 9.73% of the voters. Check out the poll below for a full breakdown of the voting results.

THE PHONEARENA H1 2016 CENSUS: WHAT BRAND PHONE ARE YOU USING RIGHT NOW?

Amazon

0.1%

Apple

9.73%

Asus

1.16%

BlackBerry

1.32%

Google (Nexus)

6.31%

HTC

6.02%

Huawei

2.48%

Jolla

0.06%

Lenovo

0.68%

8.66%

Meizu

0.52%

Micromax

0.16%

Motorola

4.73%

Microsoft (+Nokia)

13.01%

OnePlus

2.35%

Oppo

0.23%

Samsung

28.21%

Sony

9.44%

Xiaomi

2.61%

ZTE (+Nubia)

0.29%

OTHER (Tell us!)

1.93%

We also asked you whether your phone is a high-end, mid-range, or an entry-level one. Well, it seems the majority of our readers unite under the "Flagship or bust" motto, as 3/4 of those who voted said they own a high-end device. 20.39% of you use a mid-range handset, and finally, only 5.51% of our readers get by with an entry-level model.

THE PHONEARENA H1 2016 CENSUS: AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, MINE WAS A...

High-end device

74.1%

Mid-range device

20.39%

Low-end device

5.51%

And here are our censuses for 2015 and 2014, which will show you the change of balance.

The PhoneArena 2015 census: What brand phone are you using right now?

Amazon

0.07%

Apple

11.17%

Asus

1.12%

BlackBerry

1.64%

Google (Nexus)

4.13%

HTC

5.53%

Huawei

1.51%

Jolla

0.07%

Lenovo

0.63%

11.74%

Meizu

0.36%

Micromax

0.49%

Motorola

7.07%

Nokia/Microsoft

OnePlus

3.33%

Samsung

27.06%

Sony

11.99%

Xiaomi

1.94%

ZTE (+Nubia)

0.28%

OTHER (Tell us!)

1.85%

The PhoneArena 2014 census: What brand phone are you using right now?

Amazon

0.06%

Apple

10.08%

Asus

0.7%

BlackBerry

1.13%

Google (Nexus)

4.83%

HTC

6.85%

Huawei

0.91%

Jolla

0.05%

Lenovo

0.38%

10.52%

Meizu

0.16%

Micromax

0.64%

Motorola

8.69%

Nokia

8.54%

OnePlus

4.25%

Samsung

25.02%

Sony

13.93%

Xiaomi

1.58%

ZTE (+Nubia)

0.16%

OTHER (Tell us!)

1.5%

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36 Comments

2. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

did we seriously have that much BB and MS+nokia phone users? :-/

posted on May 16, 2016, 6:21 AM 0

6. legiloca

Posts: 1676; Member since: Nov 11, 2014

I'm feeling for the folks using an Amazon.... bahahaha!

posted on May 16, 2016, 6:31 AM 1

5. legiloca

Posts: 1676; Member since: Nov 11, 2014

I wish I can vote multiple brands.. Just voted Apple because it's my main but I super love my HTC

posted on May 16, 2016, 6:29 AM 0

7. sebbellic01

Posts: 305; Member since: May 03, 2016

That many people using a Windows device? :/

posted on May 16, 2016, 6:36 AM 0

11. samgsam15

Posts: 51; Member since: May 09, 2014

Yesterday I was sitting with my friend when suddenly he got a call. He tried to pick it up but the screen became unresponsive and didn't let him pick up the call. He is using iPhone 6s Plus. All he could say was "Now even iPhone has started freezing".

posted on May 16, 2016, 7:06 AM 0

12. Feanor

Posts: 1422; Member since: Jun 20, 2012

It happens very often with my iPhone 5c. If heard it from others too. It's a very common bug for iPhone.

posted on May 16, 2016, 7:23 AM 3

47. legiloca

Posts: 1676; Member since: Nov 11, 2014

All I can say is his case is an isolated one, I own an iPhone 6s Plus too yet I never have I ever encountered this issue. Just tell your friend to contact Apple regarding this.

posted on May 16, 2016, 11:30 AM 1

21. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

Weird, my friend suddenly got a call yesterday (how do you get a call that isn't sudden?), he tried to pick it up and his phone just exploded, taking his hand clean off. He was using a Galaxy S7, I said "should have bought the iPhone", oh how we chuckled. :)

posted on May 16, 2016, 8:22 AM 3

23. ZeneticX

Posts: 63; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

Is that supposed to be funny?

posted on May 16, 2016, 8:39 AM 4

25. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

Not really but anyone can make up random crap can't or say what they like can't they? The original comment bears no relation to the article, just a random troll against Apple as is standard here so I thought I'd balance it out. FYI, I've had iPhones since the 3G and never had that problem. That's my experience of it.

posted on May 16, 2016, 8:44 AM 3

30. 444777

Posts: 399; Member since: May 02, 2016

No that's not funny and not true. Let's not forget this is Jimrod . An apple fanboy.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:14 AM 1

44. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

Yet I criticise them plenty, I'm a bad fanboy it seems. Let me guess, you're one of many here who used to have an iPhone until you saw the light because the battery only lasted 14 minutes, the screen resolution reminded you of Minecraft, the lack of innovation hurt your soul and only having two cores and two gigs of ram meant you couldn't use it as a backup heater for your mobile home? The Fandroids here who are always making up "facts" are the saddest f**kers on the internet.

posted on May 16, 2016, 11:04 AM 3

51. AlikMalix unregistered

Oh wow, I'm trying hard to be unbiased toward devices now, but your post is so dead on... Good Laugh...

posted on May 17, 2016, 1:59 AM 0

15. assassinsaad

Posts: 11; Member since: Dec 29, 2012

Xiaomi users : Assemble

posted on May 16, 2016, 7:36 AM 0

16. Arch_Fiend

Posts: 3951; Member since: Oct 03, 2015

Way more people are using windows phone on this site than I would have thought. I'm actually interested in WP myself, there just hasn't been a windows phone I've liked enough to give it a go, hopefully Microsoft will change that with whatever their flagship is.

posted on May 16, 2016, 7:38 AM 1

20. Planterz

Posts: 2120; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

I've thought about dabbling with WP. Almost bought one of those cheap-ass ones during Black Friday when they were dirt cheap. And of course, there's the Lumia 1020, but it didn't have LTE It kinda seems like they've given up. I haven't seen any new or announced WPs in months (none worth owning, anyway).

posted on May 16, 2016, 8:15 AM 0

34. DnB925Art

Posts: 1168; Member since: May 23, 2013

I bought a 640 because it was cheap and gave me a chance to give Windows Phone a go and give it an honest try. It has been fairly positive for me. It's not my primary phone but I there are many things I appreciate about it. I love Outlook on it to connect to my work's Exchange email and the battery life on it is really good.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:28 AM 1

53. Planterz

Posts: 2120; Member since: Apr 30, 2012

I think the 640 was the one I almost bought. But as cheap as it was, I was broke AF at that time.

posted on May 17, 2016, 2:25 AM 0

18. darkkjedii

Posts: 31677; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I use the LS3.

posted on May 16, 2016, 7:44 AM 0

22. zunaidahmed

Posts: 1185; Member since: Dec 24, 2011

Doesn't this just prove that there are way more Samsung fanboys compared to Apple ones? More high end phones just proves most of the readers are just more or less a geek or power user

posted on May 16, 2016, 8:37 AM 3

24. darkkjedii

Posts: 31677; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Good point. Samsung fanboys think inside the box, just like any other fanboy does. That blinds them to what they are.

posted on May 16, 2016, 8:41 AM 4

33. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Do they really? Maybe they are just realists vs iPhonatics, being superficial and moronic ion general. I mean Apple fans live in a complete fantasy world. They actually think an iPhone 6/6S is faster than the Galaxy S/Note. I've never seen a Samsung fan say anything that was totally false about their products. I'e never seen a Samsung fan say their product was perfect, or without any problems whatsoever. NEVER! All fan are delusional, so in fairness you may be right about some on both sides. But Apple fans, like yourself are far more delusional that any fan of any platform.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:28 AM 1

41. kiko007

Posts: 7521; Member since: Feb 17, 2016

"But Apple fans like yourself are far more delusional than any other platform." I don't even know where to begin with this honestly. For starters"Apple" isn't a platform, it's an OEM. Next we have your unwavering biased nonsense to deal with. How many speed test on the internet prove that the 6s is indeed faster than your beloved Note 5, and by a few seconds I might add. But because it has a pen you excuse any transgression. Oh the joys of being able to write on my phone with a damn stylus, how lucky we must be to be given such a blessing/s. Now we delve into your hypocrisy. How many"Apple Fanboys" do you see posting a 6 page thesis on how quote: "Apple is evil! They just want your money" ? Non of course. While we are on that subject, all companies want your money. If HTC could get away with charging iPhone prices you don't think they would? If so you are incredibly naive. Finally, I don't know how many times I've told you this, but not everyone wants what you want. I don't want Android. I don't want to steal icon packs. I don't want to wait a year to get too Android N. I don't want any of it. And calling people moronic because they disagree with you only makes you look like a desperate fool preaching about the world's end. You're entitled to your opinion, but GTFOH with this "iPhone users are stupid!" bulls**t! Some of the smartest people in the world use iPhones, so get over your phobia of being an outsider already.

posted on May 16, 2016, 10:01 AM 5

43. darkkjedii

Posts: 31677; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Absolutely, 100%, post of the day! Just damn, is all I can say. +100,000,000.

posted on May 16, 2016, 10:30 AM 1

52. AlikMalix unregistered

Kiko, thanks for taking the time to write this up and post this!!! I'm so sick and tired of being called sheep or accused of buying Apple for its Logo - it's numb now... It's not funny, it's not true, and it's extremely annoying!!! +1million

posted on May 17, 2016, 2:04 AM 0

28. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

Because PA is the only site that talks about tech? Considering Apple has over 800M users of iOS and Samsung only had 400M users of their products, I would say the answer is no. After a recent article about iPhone's having the highest failure rates, maybe they were scared to vote of it...lol /S Yes I know this poll was well before that article.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:12 AM 1

31. dimas

Posts: 3423; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

They're not scared to vote, they just don't know PA. Most of my family members use iphones. 7 of them and not one know phonearena or any tech sites, only me and my cousin read tech blogs and he don't even write comments. Most apple users are just casual people who rely on advertisements to get their device, discuss a9 chip and the technology behind force touch and they'll just go 'eh?' Am not saying they're dumb, they just don't care and geeky that's why marketing is the greatest tool apple ever had.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:23 AM 0

35. darkkjedii

Posts: 31677; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Example post 33.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:29 AM 0

38. 444777

Posts: 399; Member since: May 02, 2016

Example post 31. And by the way, you seem to hate the truth? Let's be honest. There is lots of things to learn from Techie, since he's very wise and knowledgeable. Like TyrionLanister and Gaming64 aswell as ordinary. But you. Omg, when did you ever post anything that people can learn or gain knowledge? Never ever did you.

posted on May 16, 2016, 9:46 AM 0

50. dimas

Posts: 3423; Member since: Jul 22, 2014

Example 31? Just because they're knowledgeable it doesn't mean that they don't make mistakes. I was just responding to his statement of apple users scared to cast their vote. They're not afraid. They just simply don't care. Try going back to basic common sense and stop treating non-techie people like they're all stupid and chickens.

posted on May 16, 2016, 11:59 PM 1

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