Android may still be leading the mobile operating system race, but thanks to a strong fourth quarter for Apple after the launch of the iPhone 4S, the gap is getting smaller.
According to new research from Nielsen, the October release of the iPhone 4S had a huge impact on consumer purchasing decisions. Among those who bought a new device within the past three months, 44.5% in December said they chose an iPhone, up from 25.1% in October. In addition, 57% of new iPhone owners surveyed in December said they got an iPhone 4S.
The study was conducted among 75,000 consumers over the age of 18.
Even with Apple's good quarter, Android still occupies a big piece of the pie. About 46% of all smartphone owners surveyed in the fourth quarter of 2011 used Android-based mobile phones.
Overall, 46% of all mobile consumers own smartphones, according to the study, and those numbers are on the rise. In the last three months, 60% of new device owners opted for a smartphone over a feature phone.