I'm having a good laugh over this headline for a very simple reason.
A few years back when the iPhone was selling more than all Android devices combined, people were quick to say that Android would never be able to compete since it's 'too geeky'.
Awhile later when Android took off a bit and all of the Android devices together sold more than the iPhone, people were quick to say how it's just one supplier (Apple) vs many suppliers producing Android phones.
Bit later, Samsung is doing really well with their Galaxy range, and suddenly Samsung alone is selling more devices than Apple. People then say how Samsung sells tons of different devices while Apple only sells one.
Again, a bit later, a quarter arrives where a single Samsung device (I believe it was the S3?) outsold the iPhone. People were then very quick to point out how profits are important, and Apple makes more profits than anybody making Android.
Well, look at the news now. Samsung now overtakes Apple in profits as well. I'm sure we'll have some new goalposts shortly that we can wait for.
These issues (profitability, marketshare, etc) are not ends to themselves - they are only symptoms or indicators of the real market forces behind them. The real issue is that Google/Android are out competing Apple in features, price and 'freedom'. 'Freedom' in this case being a nebulous concept that translates on-the-ground into something like 'able to load up porn apps on your phone if you want to'.
A few years back when the iPhone was selling more than all Android devices combined, people were quick to say that Android would never be able to compete since it's 'too geeky'.
Awhile later when Android took off a bit and all of the Android devices together sold more than the iPhone, people were quick to say how it's just one supplier (Apple) vs many suppliers producing Android phones.
Bit later, Samsung is doing really well with their Galaxy range, and suddenly Samsung alone is selling more devices than Apple. People then say how Samsung sells tons of different devices while Apple only sells one.
Again, a bit later, a quarter arrives where a single Samsung device (I believe it was the S3?) outsold the iPhone. People were then very quick to point out how profits are important, and Apple makes more profits than anybody making Android.
Well, look at the news now. Samsung now overtakes Apple in profits as well. I'm sure we'll have some new goalposts shortly that we can wait for.
These issues (profitability, marketshare, etc) are not ends to themselves - they are only symptoms or indicators of the real market forces behind them. The real issue is that Google/Android are out competing Apple in features, price and 'freedom'. 'Freedom' in this case being a nebulous concept that translates on-the-ground into something like 'able to load up porn apps on your phone if you want to'.