14 DAY TRIAL // Since there is so much negative news about Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system, here is something positive that should please its fans.
According to a study by international company GfK, Windows Phone overtook iOS in Romania by the end of 2015. Even though Windows Phone's market share dropped by around 50% since 2014, it looks like iOS is even less popular.
With a market share of 5% in 2015, Windows Phone exceeds iOS that managed to reach just 4.6% market share in Romania.
BlackBerry still owns 1.4% market share in the country, but that might improve if the Canadian company decides to launch a slightly cheaper Android smartphone later this year.
Romanian carriers reported much better sales for the Windows Phone handsets, which are a lot cheaper than Apple's iPhones. In fact, they were the second best-selling smartphones after those powered by Android.
If you haven't guessed by now, Android is the uncontested leader in Romania with no less than 89% market share. However, analysts predict that Google's Android market share in the country will surpass 90% by the end of this year.
In the same piece of news, the study shows that customers in Romania now prefer smartphones with 5- and 5.5-inch displays. This particular segment reached 35.4% market share in December 2015 from just 10.5% in January 2015.
Windows Phone can grow big in the low-end segment
The Romanian smartphone market is flooded by local OEMs that launch many cheap Android handsets that are selling very well.
Unfortunately, Windows Phone did not manage to grab a larger market share in the low- and mid-end tier since Microsoft hasn't released too many smartphones in the last months.
The good news is Windows Phone has tremendous growth potential in Romania, but only if Microsoft targets the budget-friendly segment.