The new iPhone 5 has topped the Samsung Galaxy S III’s Web traffic in just 18 days, according tostats from mobile ad firm Chitika.
Chitika based its findings on millions of mobile ad impressions from the iPhone 5 and Galaxy S III across its U.S. and Canadian network between Oct. 3-9. By Oct. 9, about 56 percent of impressions were from Apple’s new smartphone, while 44 percent were from the Galaxy S III.
“Record-breaking sales numbers, along with new 4G browsing speeds which encourage data usage, are the most likely explanation for this tremendous growth,” Chitika said. “This latest shift in the mobile ecosystem is not welcome news for Samsung, which has positioned its device as a direct competitor to the iPhone 5.”
Chitika concluded that while optimizing content for both devices is still a good move for online advertisers, the leap in iPhone 5 activity “emphasizes iPhone users still being the most active – and hence marketable – users of the mobile Web.”
But despite the Web traffic boost, recent data from mobile app analytics and marketing firm Localytics found that the iPhone 5 - as well as the recent patent trial between Samsung and Apple - actually helped Galaxy S III sales.
Galaxy S III sales grew 9 percent each week since Aug. 1, Localytics said earlier this month. But interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy S III logged larger spikes in adoption after two major news events — the Apple patent trial verdict and the iPhone 5 launch. Sales of new Galaxy S III devices jumped 16 percent from Aug. 21 - 27, the same week Samsung lost its patent case against Apple.
Apple hasn’t been hurting for sales either; Cupertino sold 5 million iPhone 5 smartphonesduring its first three days on the market.
