AOSPs' Share of the Global Smartphone Market Down 14% in 2015
May 3, 2016 | ABI ResearchEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Overall smartphone share of the global handsets market is slowing as mobile phone (or feature phone) sales show some resilience through local brands in emerging markets. While ABI Research, the leader in transformative technology innovation market intelligence, finds major Chinese vendors are continuing to witness solid volume growth, the market region could be on the cusp of a change as Google Android regains momentum and fights back against AOSP (Android Open Source Project) devices. ABI Research estimates that AOSPs’ share of the global smartphone market fell to 14% by end of 2015, while Android improved to a commanding 67%.
“Huawei, Xiaomi, and ZTE, all showed notable volume growth in the fourth quarter and continue to do so,” says David McQueen, Research Director at ABI Research. “As most Android OS devices in China are not yet allowed to carry Google’s services, notably Play, many smartphones act much like AOSP devices. This situation may change in the near future, as either Google’s services become accepted in China or Google’s Android One standard grows to be a viable market contender. This is likely to spread to other Asian markets, which may mean the plight of AOSP.”
ABI Research considers AOSP devices to be modified versions of Android open source on which vendors can build their own user interfaces, app stores, and key applications. While a number of key brands, such as Xiaomi and Amazon, and other smaller Asian vendors have embraced the AOSP platform, the device category faces mounting competition as Google’s Android One continues to target both emerging markets and low-cost smartphone manufacturers.
In the months ahead, ABI Research expects some AOSP vendors to migrate toward Android OS/Android One and leverage on the wider ecosystem as their shipments grow. The AOSP platform may be further stymied by mobile operators who remain reticent to carry AOSP devices, notably in the U.S., which will reduce their acceptance and success in certain markets.
“While we anticipate that Google will continue to have a strong hold on the Android platform in some developing markets, particularly Latin America, the dynamic beyond these could change very quickly,” concludes McQueen. “If Android One does not perform as well as expected over the coming months, AOSP will remain a force within many emerging markets, despite Google’s best efforts to entice vendors away from it.”
About ABI Research
For more than 25 years, ABI Research has stood at the forefront of technology market intelligence, partnering with innovative business leaders to implement informed, transformative technology decisions. The company employs a global team of senior analysts to provide comprehensive research and consulting services through deep quantitative forecasts, qualitative analyses and teardown services. An industry pioneer, ABI Research is proactive in its approach, frequently uncovering ground-breaking business cycles ahead of the curve and publishing research 18 to 36 months in advance of other organizations. In all, the company covers more than 60 services, spanning 11 technology sectors.
Suggested Items
Hon Hai Research Institute Partners with Taiwan Academic Research Institute and KAUST to Participate in CLEO 2025
05/30/2025 | FoxconnThe research team of the Semiconductor Division of Hon Hai Research Institute, together with the research teams of National Taiwan University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, has successfully made breakthroughs in multi-wavelength μ -LED technology to achieve high-speed visible light communication and optical interconnection between chips.
Meyer Burger Shuts Down Solar Module Production, Lays Off 282 Employees in the U.S.
05/30/2025 | Meyer BurgerMeyer Burger Technology AG is forced to stop its solar module production in the U.S., which is still ramping up, due to a lack of funds. On May 29, 2025, all 282 remaining employees at the Goodyear, Arizona, site received their notices of termination. Production with an annual capacity of 1.4 gigawatts was shut down immediately.
VJ Electronix Appoints Marco Cruz as Mexico Regional Sales Manager
05/30/2025 | VJ ElectronixVJ Electronix, Inc., the leader in rework technologies and global provider of advanced X-ray inspection and component counting systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Marco Antonio Cruz Tovar as Mexico Regional Sales Manager.
Arrow Electronics Earns Dual Honors as Dell Technologies Partner of the Year
05/29/2025 | BUSINESS WIREGlobal technology solutions provider Arrow Electronics has received two prestigious awards from Dell Technologies: 2025 OEM Solutions Partner of the Year and 2025 North America Distributor of the Year. The awards were announced at Dell Technologies World, held in Las Vegas in late May.
Imec Unveils Record-Low Loss 300mm RF Silicon Interposer for Sub-THz Systems
05/27/2025 | ImecAt the IEEE ECTC 2025 conference, imec – a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies – highlights the exceptional performance and flexibility of its 300mm RF silicon interposer platform.