1 in 10 smartphones in the UK run Android

The Guardian UK reports a study done by GfK retail market research reveals that sales of Android smartphones have tripled since the beginning of the year in the UK. For the second quarter of 2010, Android smartphones have gained over 13% of the UK smartphone market.

Leading the pack in the Android invasion of the UK is the HTC Desire and HTC Legend with Samsung’s flagship (and currently, our favourite smartphone) Galaxy S gaining ground helped by a daring and innovative marketing campaign offering FREE Galaxy S to those who are not happy with their iPhone 4.

Sales of the HTC Desire have been exceptionally well in the UK with local telcos reporting difficulty in meeting demand and widespread shortages.

More interesting is that the GfK finds that more and more buyers are asking for Android devices by name.

“The figures suggest an increasing number of consumers are now asking for Android handsets by name,” said GfK analyst Megan Baldock. “Operating systems are no longer simply a by-product but a key selling point in their own right.”

Apple is now looking at real competition in the hands on Google and Android. All the best for us consumers then.

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