iPhone 5 still nation’s favourite mobile as Apple launch event looms
Apple scored another hat trick in August, with its three iPhones still sitting at the top of the uSwitch.com Mobile Tracker - based on live searches, pre-orders and sales - for the second consecutive month.
Even rumours that Apple will reveal the tech giant's next generation of iPhones soon, hasn't affected sales of older models - it's been plain sailing for the past six months atop the chart for the iPhone 5 and 4S. And even the older iPhone 4 is back in the game too, having established bronze status thanks to a summer resurgence at the expense of the Samsung Galaxy S4.
In contrast, it's all-round bad news for the South Korean manufacturer, which has seen its star fade in 2013. Even its cheaper S4 Mini has also failed to strike a blow to Apple's stronghold since launching in June - coming in at seventh position - while the older S2 has fallen out of the top ten for the first time this year.
The HTC One is the highest-ranking handset not from the ‘big two', holding its mid-table, sixth position for the second month running. And, with its social-media integrated home screen and thousands of straight-out-the-box, Google-operated apps, it's certainly competing on the fun factor with Apple.
Lagging behind is the Sony Xperia Z which slips down one place to ninth, suggesting that while it may indeed boast Bravia technology, PlayStation games, and a polyamide glass fibre shell, this smartphone isn't immune to a reality check.
But while lower in the rankings than Sony's offering, the arrival of the Lumia 520, Window's most popular phone, is a massive boon for Nokia which struggles to reach the top 10 chart month after month. Another fun-filled handset, the Lumia 520 is packed with great on-the-go features including Nokia Mix Radio, which works like Spotify to provide playlist mixes, and turn-by-turn directions service HERE maps.
Number one handset - for the sixth consecutive month, the Apple iPhone 5 is the UK's most popular phone.
New entries - the Nokia Lumia 520 enters the chart at number 10
Biggest losers - the Sony Xperia Z is the only handset to have lost ground this month, slipping down one place to ninth position.
Top Ten Handsets for August - correct on 29th August, 2013
# Handset Powered by Movement
1 Apple iPhone 5 (16GB) iOS No change
2 Apple iPhone 4S (16GB) iOS No change
3 Apple iPhone 4 (8GB) iOS No change
4 Samsung Galaxy S4 (16GB) Android No change
5 Samsung Galaxy S3 (16GB) Android No change
6 HTC One (silver) Android No change
7 Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini Android No change
8 Samsung Galaxy Ace Android Up one
9 Sony Xperia Z Android Down one
10 Nokia Lumia 520 Windows Phone 8 New entry
Source: uSwitch.com
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, says: "After a period where smartphone users have been out in the sunshine, it's little surprise the mobile top ten has stayed relatively stable.
"But things are likely to heat up from September, as the race to be Christmas number one kicks off. Berlin's IFA trade show will showcase this winter's hottest new handsets from the major manufacturers, and the arrival of 4G to the UK from Vodafone and O2 has reinvigorated interest in the latest offerings.
"Naturally, rumours abound that Apple will compliment a premium device with a mid-range handset launch in September has sent the hype machine into overdrive, and the imminent arrival of Samsung's 'Galaxy Gear' smart watch could mark a concerted effort to introduce wearable technology to the masses."
For more information, visit uswitch.com.