Windows Phone Closes in on Double-Digit Market Share in Europe

A recent report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech shows the latest European smartphone sales reflect a near double-digit market share. Microsoft is definitely making inroads outside its home country with France and Great Britain already exhibiting double-digit numbers of 10.8% and 12% respectively.

Kantar Worldpanel ComTech relates the latest growth to Nokia's release of low and midrange Lumia 520 and 620 models, and suggests that the two age groups actively looking for Windows Phones are 16-24 year olds and 35-49 year olds while they balance price and functionality in a handset. The age group stat is fascinating, possibly suggesting that from 25 to 35 years old, consumers have good jobs, are living the single lifestyle without family burdens, and aren't extra concerned about laying down larger sums of money for higher priced, less feature-rich handsets.

But, why is Microsoft's smartphone OS doing so well outside the US? What could the disconnect be between Microsoft and the US consumer? Microsoft US market share is steadily growing, but not at the same rate as in Europe. This intrigues me. If you have an idea on why this might be, let me know.

Grab the full report: Windows Phone nears double digit share across Europe