Bangalore: Windows Phone powered Smartphones, for the first time showed a significant raise, gaining third spot in U.S. market, where Apple is placed at second spot and Android at first, according to a new survey.

Kantar Worldpanel, an international company dealing in consumer knowledge and insights, has come up with the new survey that shows Google’s Android being the leading mobile platform in U.S. with 51.7 per cent of sales in the three months to April, up from 50.3 per cent a year earlier, reports Times Of India.

Not trailing far behind, Apple’s iOS was second with 41.4 per cent, up from 39.1 per cent a year earlier. Meanwhile, for the first time, Microsoft's Windows Phone 8, which was introduced last year, boosted its share to 5.6 per cent from 3.8 per cent.

While the three mobile platforms saw some growth in sales, ones a most desired BlackBerry, had only a minuscule 0.7 percent of US sales compared with 5.3 percent a year ago, finding a spot at fourth position from its third last year.

The growth of Windows Phone is quite significant since it’s a positive signs for Windows based phones, which is capturing customers upgrading from feature phones and from Android devices. "It's not just about capturing the market that is yet to upgrade," said Kantar's Mary-Ann Parlatto.

"When looking at those who changed device, between 2011 and 2012 Windows was more successful at capturing older consumers aged 50-64. But when looking at those changing now and in the last year, we're seeing Windows now gaining share among those aged 25-34."

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