Even if Windows Phone is less and less attractive to buyers in rich countries, Samsung seems to have taken an interest in the mobile platform. Despite its lack of popularity Windows Phone caught Samsung’s eye. Samsung’s turn to Microsoft’s platform is intriguing as the mobile producer is known to run most of its gadgets on Android.
A Korean publication reports that Samsung intends to cut off its dependence on Android and is very likely to dispatch new Windows Phone gadgets in 2015. Apparently, Samsung is not yet going all the way with Windows Phone because of a royalty dispute between the two companies. A Samsung official, quoted by the Korean Times, said that the company will roll out more Windows Phone handsets provided the dispute is settled this year. It remains to be seen if the Korean mobile developer will take released handsets and equip them with Windows Phone or will launch completely new Windows Phone gadgets.
But Samsung might have other reasons for not pushing forward with Microsoft’s platform. Buyers in U.K., Italy, France, Spain, Canada and the U.S. are slowly turning their back Windows Phone. The market proved infertile for the Windows Phone last year and the company invested more in developing budget smartphones that are to target emerging national markets in South-East Asia, Africa or Latin America.
Windows Phone stocks in North America dropped from 4.3 percent to 3 percent in the last two years and in Europe they tumbled from a peak 9.8 percent to 8.3 percent. Emerging economies statistics are not available and, as such, Microsoft success on developing markets is also questioned.
Windows Phone didn’t gain any comparative advantage on the Chinese market either, dropping from an officially low 2.7 percent to 0.6 percent over 12 months. Chinese smartphone users are more inclined to purchase local made Android options which provide them with a wide range of regional apps. Furthermore, Brazil and Japan are also seemingly uninterested the platform.
Microsoft’s hope may come from India and Indonesia where buyers appear to be more attracted to the platform. Also, the company’s cheaper feature devices are more appealing to Indian buyer who formed an attachment to the Nokia brand.
But even if Windows Phone will conquer developing countries this still might not make it worth as it will mean more work for software developers. The apps they design would have to be low memory and for low-income buyers which in turn implies they will not profit too much from app sales.
The Android platform remains the leader of global markets with Apple next in row, enjoying a growing popularity in China, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.
Image Source: The Independent
