The mobile operating system war is now over. And Android won. Because while Apple still sells shedloads of iPhones, 9 of 10 smartphones sold around the world is now powered by Android. And those numbers are unlikely to change anytime soon.

When it comes to gadgets, there has always been a propensity to take sides. The most obvious example is PC vs. Mac, but there have also been web browser wars, games console wars, and many more besides.

The current binary option of choice is Android vs. iOS. There used to be other alternatives vying for your attention, but with BlackBerry no longer a thing, and Microsoft's commitment to Windows Phone being called into question, consumers really only have two mobile operating systems to choose from.

The choice is between Android and iOS, and the vast majority of consumers of choosing Android. So much so that Strategy Analytics suggests that Android now enjoys an 87.5% share of the market. Apple's iOS, on the other hand, only controls a 12.1% share of the market.

Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics, said:

"Android’s leadership of the global smartphone market looks unassailable at the moment. Its low-cost services and user-friendly software remain attractive to hardware makers, operators and consumers worldwide."

Does Market Share Actually Matter?

You may be shrugging your shoulders right about now, because you believe these figures are unimportant. If so, you probably own an iPhone. You're also wrong. Dominating the market in the way Android currently is matters. To Google, to Apple, and to you, the consumer.

The positives for Google are patently obvious. As are the negatives for Apple. But in terms of consumers, it's all about the apps. Some people believe iOS apps are still superior to their Android equivalents, but that's unlikely to remain the case if things carry on as they are.

With Android enjoying such a vast lead over iOS, developers will increasingly focus on Google's mobile operating system. After all, developers just want to reach the most number of users they possibly can. Which is why many apps are now being launched on Android before they're ported to iOS.

Are you an Android user or an iOS user? What led to you making that choice? Do you care about the market share of your chosen operating system? Have you noticed any real-world effects from the situation? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Maurizio Pesce via Flickr