Market share operating systems U.S. smartphone sales 2013-2019, by month

The Android smartphone operating system lost ground to iOS in the United States in the second half of 2019, falling from 65 percent in August 2019, to 52.7 percent in December. Apple iOS’s market share grew by 12.4 percent during the same period.

The rise of the smartphone

Smartphones have been around since the 1990s, but improvements in connection speed and the quality of devices has seen them become a part of daily life for an increasing number of people. The growth is expected to continue, with the number of smartphone users in the United States set to reach 290.64 million in 2024, an increase of 14.98 million users from 2020 onwards.

The massive rise in smartphone popularity is also a driving factor in changing the media landscape. Apps such as YouTube and Facebook reach 72 percent of the massive audience, making it a vital medium for media outlets and advertisers alike.

COVID-19: Market bouncing back

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on smartphone sales in the United States, both in terms of supply and demand. Early signs show that the market is bouncing back, with growth coming in the third quarter of 2020. The third quarter of 2020 is the only to demonstrate growth so far, with sales climbing 31 percent.