It's impossible to avoid comparing iOS and Android when it comes to market share in the mobile world. After all, they are the dominant operating systems, and the truth is that statistics vary greatly depending on the country, the specific market, and the influence of certain brands within it. While Android leads among individual users, Apple seems to remain the leader among enterprise customers, who continue to favor the iPhone over the many available Android options.
The latest study showing the most up-to-date figures on mobile operating systems in businesses, as well as the fragmentation of this market, is the Mobility Index Report from May 2015. The first conclusion is that Apple is the favorite, retaining 72% of users. Android comes in second with 26%, while the remaining operating systems have virtually negligible numbers.
It's no coincidence that Apple is achieving such strong market performance while Android lags behind, with Cupertino as the clear leader. The truth is, Apple has agreements with companies like IBM, enabling it to offer its own devices with specialized software for the business world.
Android has also implemented similar strategies, but only in certain countries and on a much smaller scale than Apple. The sheer number of manufacturers, each with their own devices, makes it more complex to create an offering like the one Apple manages directly with its business partners for enterprise customers.
Tablets on the rise
In Apple's case, things are going even better with tablets. In fact, in this mobile sector related to both consumers and businesses, tablets accounted for 81% of purchases in the last quarter for Cupertino . That is, of all the consumer-businesses that purchased a tablet during this period, the majority opted for the iPad. In this regard, Microsoft could try to gain more ground with the arrival of Windows 10 and the various devices on the way that will run that operating system. But for now, Android remains in second place, and with a little effort, it won't relinquish its position to Redmond, which hasn't quite found its footing.
There's likely room for change, and in the mobile world, particularly on tablets, Android still has many areas where it can evolve positively to attract companies. However, competition is fierce, and the window of opportunity to adapt and implement these changes won't be endless. Proof of this is that, despite all the proposals, Apple currently remains the dominant player.
