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With Microsoft bidding farewell to the world of mobile operating systems and discontinuing Windows Mobile, we’re left with two big names dominating the market. With Android and iOS taking the lead in the mobile competition, a customer looking to buy a new mobile phone has to choose between the two.
While the Android device ecosystem is made up of several major companies, starting with leader Samsung and continuing to other giants such as Xiaomi and Google, Apple is in this fight alone. Still, Apple has made great efforts to maintain his Android sales, so in the mobile competition he often takes first place or second place.
But new IDC data shows that 2024 will be the year of Android.
Apple is struggling in China due to factors such as nationalism and increased competition, with smartphone sales already down 10% in the last quarter, according to the latest statistics. This means Chinese buyers are no longer buying iPhones not only because they want to support domestic brands, but also because Apple’s rivals already offer solid products.
Photo: Porsche
Samsung’s market share last quarter was 20.8% thanks to 60.1 million smartphones sold to customers around the world, while Apple was in second place with 17.3% and 50.1 million units. Third place was Xiaomi with 14.1%.
IDC’s figures suggest that Android will dominate the mobile space this year, as Google’s operating system will “grow twice as fast as iOS.” One reason is that the iPhone has dominated the battle in recent years, so Android has more room to grow and regain lost market share points.
Given that the mobile market is already saturated and everyone has a phone, the growth in sales of either device revolves around the transition that occurs between the two platforms. As Android users switch to iPhones and iOS users switch to her Android, market share growth will depend on each company’s ability to persuade the other side.
Photo: Aston Martin
Android adoption is expected to skyrocket this year, but what does this mean for Android Auto and CarPlay?
Unless Apple acts quickly, this could be a great opportunity for Android Auto to grow. And the iPhone maker has no choice but to do so, as that strategy has already hit roadblocks on multiple fronts.
Apple recently abandoned the Apple Car, abandoning a project that received $10 billion through nearly a decade of behind-closed-doors efforts. Now that the Apple Car has been abandoned, software is the only way for Apple to expand in the automotive space. Apple’s car software consists of Apple Maps and CarPlay, the latter of which works directly from his iPhone as well as his Android Auto and Android devices.
Apple has long boasted about its high CarPlay adoption numbers, claiming that customers now consider its system a must-have feature in new cars. Almost 80% of new car buyers in the US want CarPlay. Otherwise, you can always switch models and brands until you find one that supports CarPlay.
Photo: Pacx
However, the same reasons that affected sales in China are likely to affect sales worldwide as well. Increasing competition due to an increase in Android devices offering innovative features could harm Apple in all markets and ultimately impact its adoption of CarPlay.
Apple still hopes CarPlay remains the catalyst that brings people into its ecosystem. However, CarPlay has barely been updated in recent years, making it feel outdated. The arrival of a new generation version has already been noticed, but it requires new hardware (new cars), and its adoption has been significantly lower than expected. Only two automakers have confirmed the adoption of CarPlay 2.0, even though Apple announced it two years before his.
With 2024 being the year of Android, Google will need to focus more than ever on improving Android Auto. It’s no secret that Apple users are very loyal to the brand, so convincing CarPlay users to switch to Android Auto will be difficult. Google needs to find a way to highlight Android Auto’s key features, improve its reliability, and show CarPlay users that its software is at least as easy as Apple’s in-car experience.
Photo: AndroidCentral
Unfortunately, Google and Apple don’t share adoption numbers for Android Auto and CarPlay. The battle for steering wheels is heating up as the two tech giants look to expand beyond their traditional markets and conquer the automotive space. Because Android Auto and CarPlay are important services in the long term, their adoption is strongly tied to the adoption of the operating systems that power them.
Apple shouldn’t ignore competition from China. Although Samsung dominates the mobile sector, companies such as Xiaomi and OPPO also continue to gain market share in domestic and international markets. Huawei is also on the rebound, and considering its automotive products, it could once again become a fierce rival as the company already provides advanced software for several new generation models in China.
The WWDC developer event in June will be a great opportunity to get a glimpse of Apple’s long-term automotive ambitions. But with 2024 becoming his year of Android, Android Auto has become more than just an alternative, it’s fully featured (and very attractive). rival.
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