14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft still struggles to make Windows Phone a much more powerful rival for iOS and Android, and at some level, it appears that all these efforts are paying off.
Statistics provided by IDC for the Brazilian market show that in Q3 2014 Windows Phone performed really well and even managed to overtake iOS.
Specifically, Brazilians purchased a total of 15.1 million devices in the third quarter of 2014, up 11 percent compared to the previous quarter and 49 percent over the same period in 2013.
Unfortunately for Windows Phone users, even though Microsoft's smartphone platform managed to overtake iOS and become the second most-used mobile OS in the country, it's still far behind Android, which continues to lead the charts with a record market share of 91 percent.
This means that Windows Phone and iOS are fighting for the remaining 9 percent, and the first apparently won the battle in the third quarter of the year.
How Microsoft managed to overtake iOS
Since Android continues to be the clear leader of the smartphone market in Brazil, it's pretty clear that the key to success in the country is offering buyers cheap devices with decent hardware specs.
And that's exactly what Microsoft tried to do, thus overtaking Apple's iOS devices which continue to be available at premium prices.
For example, an iPhone 6 with 16 GB is available in Brazil for approximately $1,200 (985 euros), while Lumia 930, the closest Windows Phone model that can be compared to Apple's phone, can be yours for approximately $650 (534 euros), while year-end discounts make it even more affordable.
Very affordable devices offered to buyers
At the same time, Microsoft is trying to offer Brazilian buyers very affordable models that can compete with those running Android, and although the company still has a hard time challenging the leading position of Google's smartphone platform, growing sales confirm that it's already on the right track.
At this point, Brazilians can purchase the Lumia 530 for $100 (73 euros), while the Lumia 630 is available in local stores for approximately $130 (105 euros), both unlocked and SIM-free.
Obviously, Apple's premium phones aren't selling so well in a country where affordable devices are so successful, so don't be surprised if Microsoft brings even cheaper models to the market in the coming months. Word has it that a new Lumia model, part of the 4xxx series, could soon be introduced with a shockingly-low price, but Redmond is yet to confirm any plans for such a project.
