Windows Phone 3rd among smartphone operating systems in Russia; Symbian in free fall
Mar 14, 2013
Windows Phone powered smartphones gained the third largest market share in Russia in the fourth quarter of 2012, East-West Digital News, the international resource on Russian digital industries, reported earlier today citing the Russian business daily Vedomosti and a study by IDC Russia/CIS.
Windows enabled mobile devices accounted for 7% of the Russian market, with the Microsoft operating system trailing only Google Android, the undeniable leader with 69.6%, and Linux, with a 12.3% share of the market. Windows outshone Nokia’s Symbian in the fourth quarter after having surpassed Apple’s iOS in the previous quarter of last year.
Comparing the Windows Phone and Apple iOS operating platforms is particularly inaccurate in Russia, however, due to their positioning at rather different price segments. In the absence of any operator subsidies, iPhone 5 devices sell for up to 40,000 rubles (about $1,300) apiece, while Windows Phone powered devices sell at an average of less than 15,000 rubles ($500).
The Windows Phone operating system is a relative newcomer in Russia, having been introduced to local mobile customers only in late 2011. Windows Phone is offered in the Nokia, HTC, Samsung and Alcatel mobile devices specifically tailored to the new Microsoft OS. The recent launch of Windows 8 has added substantially to the popularity of Windows-based smartphones.
The team up that started last November between Microsoft and MTS, a leading Russian mobile operator and retailer, over their joint Windows 8 "Ecosystem Demo Zone" project has translated into another major boost in Windows Phone promotions for Microsoft over the past few months.
Windows enabled mobile devices accounted for 7% of the Russian market, with the Microsoft operating system trailing only Google Android, the undeniable leader with 69.6%, and Linux, with a 12.3% share of the market. Windows outshone Nokia’s Symbian in the fourth quarter after having surpassed Apple’s iOS in the previous quarter of last year.
Comparing the Windows Phone and Apple iOS operating platforms is particularly inaccurate in Russia, however, due to their positioning at rather different price segments. In the absence of any operator subsidies, iPhone 5 devices sell for up to 40,000 rubles (about $1,300) apiece, while Windows Phone powered devices sell at an average of less than 15,000 rubles ($500).
The Windows Phone operating system is a relative newcomer in Russia, having been introduced to local mobile customers only in late 2011. Windows Phone is offered in the Nokia, HTC, Samsung and Alcatel mobile devices specifically tailored to the new Microsoft OS. The recent launch of Windows 8 has added substantially to the popularity of Windows-based smartphones.
The team up that started last November between Microsoft and MTS, a leading Russian mobile operator and retailer, over their joint Windows 8 "Ecosystem Demo Zone" project has translated into another major boost in Windows Phone promotions for Microsoft over the past few months.