Mobile Technology

For the first time, Android is more popular than Windows

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For the first time, there are more people worldwide using Android devices than Windows computers to access the internet
Saranyu_photo/Depositphotos remixed by Emily Ferron
Graph from StatCounter
For the first time, there are more people worldwide using Android devices than Windows computers to access the internet
Saranyu_photo/Depositphotos remixed by Emily Ferron

According to the independent web analytics company StatCounter, Google's Android has edged out Windows to become the most popular operating system in the world, in terms of total internet usage across desktop, laptop, tablet and phone use combined.

In other words, there are now more people worldwide using Android (mobile) devices than Windows to access the internet. In March 2017, Android took 37.93-percent of the worldwide market share, barely eclipsing Windows' 37.91-percent.

Graph from StatCounter

While that margin is slim, it does represent the end of Windows' dominant era and a dramatic shift in consumer behavior. By StatCounter's estimation, Android held just 2.4-percent of the global internet usage market share a mere five years ago.

Note that these statistics represent worldwide market share – they don't necessarily mirror all major markets. In North America, for example, Windows has a 39.5-percent share followed by iOS with 25.7-percent. However, Android takes 52.2-percent of the share in Asia, while Windows has only 29.2-percent.

When it comes to desktop software specifically, Windows still dominates the market, with an 84-percent internet usage share. But thanks to the rise of the smartphone and as highlighted by worldwide statistics, desktop internet use is clearly on the decline.

Source: StatCounter

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3 comments
socalboomer
It's still comparing apples to kumquats - Android is mobile, Windows is desktop. Android or phone is one per person (basically) while Windows or desktop is often one per family. Android is tiny screen (4" or so) while Windows is much larger (small laptop = 11" desktop is twice that-ish).
Here's hoping that websites don't dumb things down to a phone screen size just because Android "is more popular" . . . adaptive yes, Lilliputian, no.
Daishi
@socalboomer Measured as a total % of internet traffic Windows is still decently ahead of Android and even by their stats Windows is still double Android in North America. Android owes a lot of the success globally to being a hit in the developing world. They succeeded where OLPC failed as commercial ventures in the free market often do.
JenniferPage
Android runs on many laptops now. Cheaper and more reliable than Windows with complete free business suites available and everything easily stored in the cloud automatically. No longer a disaster if laptop is stolen, hacked or crashed. Can handle Windows docs. Windows is archaic.