Playing at the Mobile Bottom

I’ve long thought that Android’s approach of touching the maximum number of people possible, instead of trying to make the product that the most discerning would love, was a bad idea.

And now we’re seeing evidence of it.

Apple is accepted as the premier mobile brand, and with the iPhones 6 release they’re now the most popular phones by a factor of 3 or 4x even in South Korea—the home of Samsung. This is based on people there wanting the iPhone 6 far more than the Note 4.

Then you have the profit numbers.

Apple’s mobile profits rose 11% last quarter. Samsung’s fell by around 79%.

Why?

I think it’s a couple of things:

1. People are realizing that Apple is simply a more coveted and consistent brand, and it makes them more desirable

2. The low-end market is getting increasingly consumed by Chinese competition

I’m glad to see Microsoft stepping up, and I really like their mobile offerings. I think the Android story is simply failing for all but those who see it either as a hacking playground (hardware hackers), or those who see it as a low-cost and functional alternative to Apple.

Not a great place to be.