Report: Windows Phone took 3rd place in Q4 2012 at the expense of BlackBerry.

One big bummer the past few years watching the mobile landscape has been the lack of official Windows Phone numbers from Microsoft. Things like marketshare and the amount of devices sold has been more elusive than Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster. We’re always having to base conclusions on analytics from firms that are often nothing more than speculation – good speculation, but still not official.

That said, here is a new report stating that Windows Phone has surpassed BlackBerry for 3rd place, at least in the US.

The information comes courtesy of Strategy Analytics, an analytics firm that does typical analyst-y things like track, analyze, and forecast markets. They have a report out titled “Microsoft Becomes 3rd Smartphone Platform in US in Q4 2012”. Since that report is only available to their clients, the best we can do is quote the summary:

"Microsoft Windows Phone overtook BlackBerry OS to become the third largest smartphone platform in the influential United States market during Q4 2012. It was the first time Microsoft has surpassed Blackberry since 2006. Meanwhile, Android lost share in annual terms for the first time ever. Are we now at “peak Android”? Which hardware vendors dominate the Microsoft and Android smartphone ecosystems today?"

It will be interesting to see how this plays out over 2013. During Q4 Windows Phone 8 had just come out, while BlackBerry had not launched BB10 yet--in that sense, this is hardly a fair comparison. The two will fight for marketshare the rest of the year – but hopefully at the expensive of Android and iOS customers. You already know our thoughts on the matter. 

While we would love to give you hard numbers, we don’t exactly have $7000 lying around to buy the report from Strategy Analytics. Ok, all joking aside we’ll snoop around and try and get some numbers for you.

What do you think? Who will end up in third place this year?

http://www.wpcentral.com/windows-phone-took-3rd-place-q4-2012-expense-blackberry

I just hope they continue to support Windows Phone 7.5 devices with apps. Bought my Omnia W in january, as it was the cheapest phone with a AMOLED screen and best hardware at the price, and the user interface is just awesome. I believe the marketshare will grow even more now, BlackBerry is probably screwed, even with their new OS.

3rd???? Does a that position even exist in the mobile OS market? Better rank would be tied for last place with a bunch of others.

Its understandable to argue 1/2 with Android and iOS as they are really the only market at this point. When WP begins to actually demonstrate serious gains in the market, then its appropriate to discuss it as a 3rd competitor.

It feels like we're saying LeapPad is in 4th place in the home console market.

i remember when in my last class of college I made a report about Microsoft and an acquisition proposal. I said that it was a good idea for Microsoft to acquire RIM (now blackberry). I also said to stop their equity buyback strategy and focus on growth. With said saving acquire RIM, which was over $40 then.

I still stand by that idea.

Uh, MSFT currently pays out 45% of profit towards the dividend, I think that they've already decided that they aren't a growth company anymore and that at this point, they will get more stock performance by rewarding the shareholders than by seeking new growth.  BTW, paying out such a large chunk of profit is going to kill any fanboy dreams of growth...just wait for it not to materialize.  Only god can make MSFT grow at this point, but I still think that they will do alright. 

Btw, according to a most of the analysts these days; MSFT should be classified as a value stock.

If there was ever a chance for growth from that acquisition, it was minimal. I am of the same mind set, I think msft is great income stock, and greatly under value. Every time my relatives ask me what to buy, i tell them to buy msft, its such a save bet :P. At the same time it such boring stock...

 nm

Keep it up.

But US isnt the market for WP, Chine, Africa, Europe is where it will be and where sales will be strong if WP catches up.

U.S not so much. They are with Apple there just like they are with Xbox for gaming.

It may stay there, depending on whether Blackberry 10 is a success or failure

I don't think Android has peaked, but iOS certainly has.
Blackberry 10 won't be a success, cause Blackberry took too long to release it.