The race between iOS and Android is beginning to look like a blowout: A new report from IDC pegs market share for the latter at 68.1% for all new smartphones shipped in the second quarter.
Overall, the two platforms accounted for 85% of the smartphone market during Q2. BlackBerry and Symbian hit 4.8% and 4.4%, respectively. Last year at this time, another researcher, Canalys, pegged Android's global market share at 48%.
"Android continues to fire on all cylinders," said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends program, in a statement. "The market was entreated to several flagship models from Android's handset partners, prices were well within reach to meet multiple budgetary needs, and the user experience from both Google and its handset partners boosted Android smartphones' utility far beyond simple telephony." Samsung bolstered the Android platform during the quarter, shipping 44% of all Android phones.