US iPhone ownership grows to 42% of smartphone users outpacing Samsung, others

Following the continued growth of smartphones in the US and increasing competition between Apple and Samsung, the two companies saw combined growth between 2012 and 2013 amounting to 68% of the US smartphone market. That’s according to data provided by The NPD Group which reports overall smartphone growth increased from 52% to 60% in Q4 of 2012 and 2013, respectively. NPD reports Apple’s iPhone rose from 35% to 42% in Q4 2012 to 2013 among US smartphone users.

For Apple, 2013 meant the introduction of the iPhone 5s and a more diverse lineup with the iPhone 5c as well as the addition of T-Mobile in the carrier lineup.

Apple is not alone among companies seeing smartphone growth as the market increased, but almost: Samsung, too, saw its share go up from 22% to 26% from Q4 2012 to Q4 2013 illustrating its success as well.

But that success doesn’t spread equally.

As illustrated by NPD’s data, other handset makers including Motorola, LG, HTC, and BlackBerry saw year-over-year smartphone ownership in the US actually decrease despite a growing market.

What was true in 2012 remained true in 2013: It’s not iOS versus Android we’re watching in smartphones, but rather Apple versus Samsung… and more so than ever.