Android overtakes the iPhone in the U.S.: NPD

Late last year, Gartner speculated that, globally, Android would catch the iPhone and even surpass it. However, that was not to be until 2012, the estimates said. According to market analyst NPD Group, that time has accelerated and is now (at least in the U.S.).

The report from NPD states that, in the last quarter, RIM still held the top spot (36 percent), while Apple sits at 21 percent. Android surged to number two at 28 percent. These figures are based on unit sales to consumers last quarter using more than 150,000 self-reported surveys by U.S. wireless users.

Of course, this stands in stark contrast to comScore's most recent numbers, which showed Android having a 10 percent share in February. However, NPD is not an also-ran among market research firms, so this information to be taken seriously.

It was, however, probably a good quarter to measure Android vs. the iPhone. The iPhone's soon-to-come next release may slow buyers who are willing to wait for the next generation. While some are skeptical that consumers are that savvy, we think that more consumers than you might expect are aware that summer = iPhone refresh.

NPD attributed the figures to carrier promotions and strong marketing programs from Verizon. Consumers are pretty aware of the issues with AT&T's 3G network, as well, so the high number of Android phones coming from Verizon certain helps.

Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis for NPD, said, “In order to compete with the iPhone, Verizon Wireless has expanded its buy-one-get-one offer beyond RIM devices to now include all of their smartphones.”

While it appears that AT&T has managed to grab another six months of iPhone exclusivity, these numbers probably serve to re-emphasize that the iPhone needs to move to Verizon, and soon.