iPhone Loses Market Share in European Countries

The iPhone is losing market share in European countries due to weakening economies, according to a Reuters report.

Data from research firm Kantar Worldpanel ComTech showed that while Apple's release of the iPhone 4S strengthened its position in Britain and the United States, the company lost share in continental Europe.

"In Great Britain, the U.S. and Australia, Apple's new iPhone continues to fly off the shelf in the run-up to Christmas. However, this trend is far from universal," said Dominic Sunnebo, global consumer insight director.


In the United States, Apple's market share in the 12 weeks to end-November rose to 36% from 25% a year earlier. Apple's share in Britain also rose to 31% from 21%.

However, in France Apple's share slipped from 29% to 20% and in Germany from 27% to 22%. Similar drops were also found in Italy and Spain.

European sales of iPhone are said to have been affected by weakening economies across the continent. "The French market is showing increasing signs of price sensitivity," Sunnebo said.

Google's Android devices which are offered in a wider variety of models and prices and fairing better. "In Germany, Android achieved a dominant 61 percent share of smartphone sales in the latest 12 weeks, with the Samsung Galaxy S II the top selling handset," Sunnebo said.


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