Windows Phone has been predicted to outrun Apple’s iOS system and take the number two spot behind Google’s Android in the smart phone market by 2016, according to International Data Corp’s report Wednesday.
According to the chart in IDC’s report, Windows Phone 7’s market share is expected to grow from 5.2 percent in 2012 to 19.2 percent by 2016. Meanwhile, Apple’s iOS will decline slightly from 20.5 percent to 19.0 percent.
IDC credited the emerging Nokia to boost the sales for Windows Phone 7.
“Windows Phone 7/Windows Mobile will gain share despite a slow start. Windows Phone 7/Windows Mobile will be aided by Nokia's strength in key emerging markets,” wrote IDC on their report.
“IDC expects it to be the number 2 OS with more than 19% share in 2016, assuming Nokia's foothold in emerging markets is maintained.”
The report also predicted the Android to peak this year, driven by Samsung’s sales. Although the Google’s OS will experience a decline from 61.0 percent to 52.9 percent, it is still strong enough to maintain its No. 1 position.
“IDC projects Android will remain the most shipped smartphone operating system over the course of the five-year forecast though its share will peak this year. Increasingly, its share and growth will be driven by Samsung sales. This Android stratification will happen even as more devices powered by Google's mobile OS from a wide variety of phone makers enter the market.
The report, obviously, is a very bold statement. Joe Wilcox of Betanews, who previously promised to kiss Steve Ballmer’s feet “if Windows Phone is No. 2 by 2015”, made another pledge that he will clean Ballmer’s toilet if the IDC’s report turns out to be true.