Sony Xperia Z overtakes iPhone 5 and contests Galaxy S3 for 1st place
For an astonishing 10th month in a row since its launch, Samsung's Galaxy S3 continues its reign as the UK's best selling handset, according to the uSwitch.com Mobile Tracker, based on live searches, pre-orders and sales. But, despite topping the chart again in February, is Samsung's perpetual domination set to come to an end?
New entrant, the Sony Xperia Z, has entered the chart at number two on pre-orders alone, overtaking even Apple's lauded iPhone 5. And while Samsung still holds four of the top ten spots, its ultra-popular and affordable Galaxy Ace and Galaxy S2 have dropped three and six places respectively. Could it be that fans of the South Korean manufacturer are biding their time in anticipation of the March 14 launch of the rumoured "Galaxy S4" in New York next month? Or, following the CES in Vegas and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is this the inevitable result of a saturated and highly competitive smartphone market?
Technology stalwart, Sony, has seen sales plummet and reported a £73 million loss for the last quarter of 2012. But it seems committed to staging a renaissance, and the newest slick, high-end and robust Xperia handset could be the hero it needs. The waterproof, dust-resistant Sony PlayStation-certified Xperia Z - with its impressive 13-megapixel camera, HD recording and five-inch HD display - is a serious challenger for Samsung's Galaxy S3.
Right now deals with a free phone start at £26 per month, which is £5 more expensive than monthly deals for the Samsung Galaxy S3, but still £7 cheaper than the iPhone 5. But with most retailers offering free Sony headphones worth £299, smartphone users got more for their money when they pre-ordered an Xperia Z.
Last month's chart saw budget phones sell like hot cakes, as consumers tightened their purse strings after the expensive Christmas period. Just three phones in the top ten chart cost more than £20 per month. But in February they seem to have lost their appeal, and six of the UK's most popular handsets start from more than £20 per month with a free phone.
Meanwhile, mobile fans seem unafraid to make the switch to the Windows phone OS platform, with the Nokia Lumia 800 climbing two places to reach 7th position. This will be more good news for the Finnish manufacturer which has pinned its hopes of a reversal of recent fortunes on a ‘special relationship' with the Windows operating system.
Number one handset - the Samsung Galaxy S3 remains the UK's number one handset after ten consecutive months at the top of the chart.
New entries - Sony's Xperia Z is the only new entry this month, jumping straight to 2nd.
Biggest losers - February's biggest loser is the Samsung Galaxy S2, down six places and relegated to 9th place after enjoying a top-three spot in January. Sibling phone, the Galaxy Ace has dropped three places to 5th position.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, says: "Perhaps the most surprising entrant in this month's chart is Sony. After record losses in 2012 due to natural disasters and a strong yen, the Japanese colossus has upped its game, producing a feature-packed, high-spec model in the Xperia Z. Storming into the 2nd spot on pre-orders alone, this is one to watch in 2013.
"Although Samsung continues to stay ahead of the competition and is holding onto pole position, the popularity of the Galaxy range is starting to wane thanks to serious competition from rival manufacturing giants.
"There are hotter, newer kids on the block and the Xperia Z's early popularity is really exciting for beleaguered Sony. It has the winning combination of being packed full of features and priced right. It's about time the iPhone 5 and the S3 were challenged. But the anticipated launch of a new Galaxy handset later this month could make it hard for Sony to build on this early success.
"And it seems consumers aren't afraid to push the boat out when it comes to buying a new handset after January's belt-tightening. The Nokia 100 and the Samsung Galaxy Ace which cost £10 per month or less, are the only two truly budget phones in the top ten this month."