Android Is Easily Besting Windows Phone 7: 10 Reasons Why

By Don Reisinger  |  Posted 2010-11-29

Android Is Easily Besting Windows Phone 7: 10 Reasons Why

When Microsoft launched Windows Phone 7 in North America on Nov. 8, the company had high hopes for its platform. It truly believed that the product it was offering to consumers and enterprise customers was the best option on the market.

Furthermore, Microsoft thought that with the help of its vendor partners, it could reverse the decline of its mobile market share, and start giving Google's Android platform a major challenger to worry about. 

But it's clear now that Windows Phone 7 might not have what it takes to come close to matching Android. In fact, U.K. retailer MobilesPlease is reporting that Windows Phone 7 accounted for just 3 percent of its smartphone sales and less than  2 percent of all of its sales. It went on to say that Android is outselling Windows Phone 7 by a 15-to-1 margin. 

Admittedly, that figure might not be the same everywhere around the world. But it effectively highlights the issues Microsoft is having. It's also the clearest indication yet that Android is easily besting Microsoft's counterpart. 

Here's why: 

1. The phones are better 

Although Microsoft might not like to admit it, the devices running Android are far more viable than those running Windows Phone 7. Take the Motorola Droid X, for example. That device includes a 4.3-inch display and outstanding entertainment options, and it runs on Verizon's network. Granted, the Samsung Focus running Windows Phone 7 has a 4-inch display, but it's running on AT&T's network. And it doesn't have the same look and feel as the Droid X. Simply put, Android devices are more attractive. 

2. There are more of them 

There are just a handful of Windows Phone 7 devices on store shelves right now. That alone isn't helping Microsoft to sell more devices. Google's partners, on the other hand, are offering a slew of devices around the world that give consumers an ample supply of options to choose from. That's an important distinction, and it's definitely contributing to strong Android sales. 

3. Android 2.2 is more polished 

Windows Phone 7 is a fine platform that ditches the traditional gridlike design for a unique layout. But that doesn't mean it's better than Android. In fact, the operating system lacks full multitasking, it doesn't have a store that can compare to the Android Market in terms of app availability, and it's clear after using it that it's still a first-gen product. Granted, Windows Phone 7 is a fine product, but it's still not up to Android 2.2's level. 

4. Google's Android Market 

The Android Market is helping Google and its partners sell more Android-based devices. The store features well over 100,000 applications that range from social-networking programs to entertainment apps. Microsoft has said it plans on quickly catching up with its app marketplace, but it has a long way to go to do so and customers know that all too well.

Lack of Multitasking, Carriers Hinders Windows Phone 7


5. Multitasking 

Android 2.2 is regarded as having a solid multitasking option built into the software. And it's something that customers have been quite pleased with. But Windows Phone 7 doesn't feature full multitasking. Microsoft said that the feature is coming, but until it's there and it works as well as Android's option, it will be hard for Microsoft to keep pace with Google's OS. 

6. Carrier availability 

Carrier availability continues to be a major issue for Windows Phone 7. As of this writing, devices running Microsoft's operating system are available on T-Mobile and AT&T. That's a major problem. T-Mobile's subscriber base is much smaller than that of AT&T's or Verizon's. But AT&T has the iPhone, which attracts the most customers. Android, on the other hand, is available on all carriers, making it far more likely to attract consumers and enterprise customers. 

7. Consumers believe the hype 

Make no mistake that consumers watch out for news about how Windows Phone 7 is faring in the mobile market. When news breaks that Microsoft's platform is being outsold at a ratio of 15-to-1, it will make some consumers question whether they should buy it. This can only help keep a lid on the platform's sales. The more such news that breaks, the harder it will be for Microsoft to match Google. 

8. If it can beat Apple, it can beat Microsoft 

So far, Google's Android platform has outsold sales of iOS-based devices. And that trend is likely to continue. Considering Google has been able to beat Apple in the mobile market, there is no question that it can do the same with Microsoft. After all, Microsoft is the company that released the ill-fated Kin smartphones that are now, surprisingly, resurging in the market. It's also the company that failed to see the changing smartphone landscape until it was arguably too late. 

9. The ads aren't working 

Microsoft has said that it will spend a total of $500 million on advertisements to promote Windows Phone 7 devices. But it's clear now that all those ads didn't help the platform as much as Microsoft would like. If the ads don't help, it's hard to see where Microsoft can go next to revive its mobile operating system. Android might have already won the battle. 

10. Microsoft's mobile team seems lost 

It's hard to understand what Microsoft's mobile team is up to. First, the division failed to deliver Windows Phone 7 in an adequate time frame as Google and Apple continued to capitalize on the touch-screen craze. Then the division offered up the Kin smartphones. Now, Windows Phone 7 is having trouble gaining traction. Microsoft's mobile division seems lost, and until it finds some footing Microsoft could continue to be cornered out of the mobile market.

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