Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:30PM
by Maya Robert: editor@uswitch.com
Apple drops out of top five in best mobile phone chart
The Apple iPhone has dropped out of the top five on the best mobile phone chart, according to the new uSwitch tracker, which ranks the top mobile phones by live searches and sales.
The Android-run HTC range dominates the best mobile phone chart, with the HTC Desire, HTC Desire, HTC Desire HD and HTC Wildfire beating the iPhone and taking the top three places.
HTC has proved a fierce competitor for the Apple iPhone with its range of HTC Desire handsets.
The HTC Desire and its HD sister phone have been acclaimed for their technological scope, intuitive design and impressive functions.
HTC recently debuted its HTC ChaCha and Salsa phones, nicknamed the 'Facebook' phones because of their Facebook-designated button included on the handset.
Android-operated handsets now account for 50% of the most popular mobile phones on the market, placing increasing pressure on Apple, which once held the majority.
Despite the growth of Android, it has been widely rumoured that Apple is set to boost its flagging popularity with the much rumoured iPhone 5 and the iPad2.
The iPhone 4, the latest model to date, suffers from being substantially more expensive that its Android-run competitors.
Often, the HTC Desire is offered on cheaper tariffs than the iPhone, which may account for its rise in popularity.
Blackberry, which this week denied it was losing the smartphone market, came fourth with its Blackberry Curve, whilst the Samsung Galaxy S came fifth.
Ernest Doku, communications expert at uSwitch said Apple had cause to be worried: "The competition is taking a huge bite out of Apple's market.
"And, with over 800,000 deals currently giving away a smartphone for free, it's easy to see how consumers are being lured away from the iPhone.
"Many have to account for every penny spent, but at the same time do not want to miss out on owning the latest gadget.
"A free handset is a much more attractive proposition than shelling out for one - especially at iPhone prices."
"HTC has outsmarted the smartphone market by customising its handsets at a range of price points - as seen by the Wildfire acting as an aspirational Desire."
"...Plus Google's Android operating platform really cuts the mustard in terms of the thousands of applications available, especially on the gaming side."
However, he said, Apple is not out of the race yet: "Android phones have well and truly pipped Apple to the post.
"But, with just a couple of months until Apple is expected to give details of its next offering, it's almost a dead cert that they will soon lead the way again in the race for smartphone dominance."
Number one mobile phone handset this month - The HTC Desire is in top spot; a real showcase for the Android operating system that has dominated the smartphone market.
It has a range of functions that have impressed it customers, including organising social media into one stream, and a phone ringer that goes quieter when you lift your phone up. It also has impressive screen resolution and camera functions and access to an app store with over 100,000 apps.
Biggest climber - the HTC Wildfire - another from the HTC family.
Less technologically developed and smaller than the HTC Desire range, the HTC Wildfire still has some notable functions, including full app integration and huge memory. It also cheaper, makes it an alternative choice for low budgets.
Biggest faller - once at the top of everyone's 'must have' lists, the Apple iPhone 4 has dropped three places since January to number six.
The iPhone, which revolutionised the mobile phone market, also can be significantly more expensive than the HTC range, with hefty flat-fee charges and monthly contracts.