The iPhone is still the most used phone for internet access

Since the first unveiling of the 3G data standard, the level of mobile internet usage has gone up consistently, and there is one mobile phone in particular that has invigorated the mobile internet more than any other device: the iPhone. After the release of the first iPhone (which did not even feature 3G), mobile internet usage increased, and each subsequent incarnation of the platform (the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS) has brought similar increases. The iPhone platform has consistently, since its release, been the most used device for mobile internet access.

New figures released by AdMob have shown that the iPhone still retains the top spot in terms of traffic share in the USA, although it may not remain at the top for much longer, as Android is rapidly catching it up.

There has been a lot of speculation on what it is that has allowed the iPhone to hold on to the highest market share of any mobile platform, but the most likely answer is that its success stems from the Safari web browser built into the iPhone itself. The Safari browser is famous for being very user-friendly, and for allowing such features as multitouch, which lets users zoom in or out on a web page by using two fingers in a pinching motion. The simplicity of the Safari browser, and its incredible ease of use, is undoubtedly a big factor in the iPhone having such a high percentage of traffic share on the mobile internet. No doubt other factors have come into play (for example, maybe iPhone users are simply more inclined to use the mobile internet, while the users of other platforms prefer to access the internet on a computer), but the Safari browser is undoubtedly one of the main reasons for the iPhone's success in this area.

How long this will remain the case, however, is debatable. Since April of last year, the percentage of mobile internet traffic which was accounted for by the iPhone has fallen, to the current figure of just under 50% of traffic share. However, during the same period, Android has increased its traffic share, and it now stands at 42%, only slightly behind the iPhone. If this trend continues, then it seems likely that Android will overtake the iPhone very soon. This seems especially likely, given that Google currently has the Android-powered Nexus One on the market, and the HTC Desire has now been released. In the USA, Android's market share will also be helped by the upcoming HTC EVO 4G, which is undoubtedly set to become HTC's next Android flagship phone.

We should not take this to mean that the iPhone is 'doomed', however, because while there are several high-profile Android phones due to be released soon (including another 'superphone', the Sony Ericsson X10), we are soon going to reach the time of year when Apple traditionally releases a new phone, and it is unlikely that this year will be any different. If, as many people are predicting, the so-called 'iPhone 4.0' is indeed unveiled in June, then it is not unreasonable to assume it will help Apple take back a significant portion of the traffic share that they've lost to Google.

The wild card in this is, of course, the upcoming release of Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft's new mobile operating system, which relies on internet access for most of its unique, core features. It is conceivable that the Windows Phone 7 Series could also take a significant portion of the mobile internet.

However, for the time being, the iPhone is still the king of the hill, and as such, it is worth giving out a warning to iPhone users. Mobile internet access is a great feature, but using your phone that much in public puts you at more of a risk of losing your phone, or having it stolen, so for peace of mind, iPhone insurance would be a very smart purchase.

image credit: http://www.sparktography.com/