Samsung continues to take the lead in global mobile Internet usage, leaving Apple in the dust just ahead of its expected next-generation iPhone announcement.
The Korean phone maker beat the competition in terms of global Internet usage, clocking in at 25.7 percent — its highest-ever lead over Cupertino's 23.4 percent, according to StatCounter's August data.
Samsung first overtook Apple in June, barely pushing past the U.S.-based electronics giant for two months before breaking clear of the pack. Nokia landed at 21.7 percent in August, while BlackBerry, HTC, Sony Ericsson, LG, and Motorola pull up the rear, each carrying less than 4 percent of the market.
"Over the past 12 months Apple has increased its share in the U.S. and U.K. but globally there is an ongoing battle taking place between it and Samsung," StatCounter CEO Aodhan Cullen said in a statement.
In the U.S., Apple maintained its lead with 52.2 percent of mobile Internet traffic compared to Samsung's 19 percent. Nokia dropped to 1.5 percent in the states, which StatCounter said represents "an underdog opportunity for Microsoft following the announcement of its proposed partial acquisition of Nokia."
Last week, Cupertino revealed plans for a second product event in China tomorrow, sparking rumors of a cheap handset heading overseas. Additional reports on Friday tipped a deal between Apple and China Mobile to bring the rumored plastic-backed iPhone 5C model to the world's largest cell carrier.
"Should the rumors prove true, it will be fascinating to see if a less expensive iPhone will help it increase market share against lower cost competitors in global markets," Cullen said.
StatCounter data, of course, is not the final say in global smartphone usage. In late July, IDC and Strategy Analytics weighed in on the topic, suggesting that Apple and Samsung are in fact losing ground to smaller manufacturers, like LG and ZTE.
Source : PCMag
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