Microsoft (MSFT +0.60%) has made some impressive gains in the smartphone space. According to data compiled by market research firm IDC, shipments of phones using the software giant's Windows Phone operating system grew by 156% on a year-over-year basis to total roughly 9.5 million in this past Q3. The OS also notably grew its market share, to 3.6% from Q3 2012's 2%.
The company has made a concentrated push into the market with its high-profile purchase of Nokia's cell phone unit, a deal that was announced this past September. Many of its offerings are aimed at the budget end of the consumer spectrum, a niche it appears determined to maintain.
The clear leader in the smartphone race is still Google's (GOOG +1.71%) Android. Shipments of smartphones packed with the system advanced by 51% over the same time frame to reach 211.6 million. The OS' dominant position in the market grew from the year-ago quarter's 75% to 81%.
Losing market share over that one-year span were Apple's (AAPL +2.59%) iOS and BlackBerry's (BBRY +3.62%) eponymous system. The former's was shaved from Q3 2012's 14.4% to 12.9%, although shipments grew by 26% to 33.8 million. Troubled BlackBerry, however, saw its market share cut to 1.7% from the 4.1% of the same quarter last year. Its shipments declined a worrying 42% to 4.5 million across that one-year period.
