I’ve long thought that Android’s approach of touching the maximum number of people possible, instead of trying to make the product that the most discerning would love, was a bad idea.
And now we’re seeing evidence of it.
Apple is accepted as the premier mobile brand, and with the iPhones 6 release they’re now the most popular phones by a factor of 3 or 4x even in South Korea—the home of Samsung. This is based on people there wanting the iPhone 6 far more than the Note 4.
Then you have the profit numbers.
Apple’s mobile profits rose 11% last quarter. Samsung’s fell by around 79%.
Why?
I think it’s a couple of things:
People are realizing that Apple is simply a more coveted and consistent brand, and it makes them more desirable
The low-end market is getting increasingly consumed by Chinese competition
I’m glad to see Microsoft stepping up, and I really like their mobile offerings. I think the Android story is simply failing for all but those who see it either as a hacking playground (hardware hackers), or those who see it as a low-cost and functional alternative to Apple.
Not a great place to be.