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Android retains US hold

Android smartphones have retained their hold over the US market, it has been revealed.

The latest data from Nielsen, compiled in the third quarter of the year, showed that 43 per cent of Americans owned Android smartphones. Apple came in second place with 28 per cent, followed by RIM Blackberry with 18 per cent.

Meanwhile, different ages were found to have different levels of smartphone ownerships. The 25 to 34 age group, for example, saw an increase in smartphone penetration from 41 per cent in the third quarter of 2010 to 62 per cent during the same period this year.

The second highest level of penetration was among the 18 to 24-year-olds at 54 per cent, followed by the 35 to 44-year-old age group with 53 per cent.

However, on an overall basis smartphones don't yet appear to have conquered the market. The devices currently account for 43 per cent of ownership, but feature phones remain most popular, accounting for the remaining 57 per cent.

From the data relating to the age groups, it is thought that young professionals are the most likely group to own smartphones due to their potential use in the workplace.