Samsung was the most popular handset maker with 25.5 per cent of the market and LG second with 20.9 per cent, comScore reported. - File Photo

SAN FRANCISCO: Google’s Android software strengthened its grip on the US smartphone market, powering nearly 42 per cent of handsets as of July, industry tracker comScore reported on Tuesday.

Android’s share of the US smartphone market grew to 41.8 per cent from 36.4 per cent at the start of April, according to comScore.

In that same three-month period, Apple’s share of the market rose slightly to 27 per cent while BlackBerry maker Research In Motion saw its ranks of subscribers erode four per cent to 21.7 per cent, comScore reported.

The portion of the market using smartphones powered by Microsoft software shrank to 5.7 per cent from 6.7 per cent and Symbian’s share dipped to 1.9 per cent from 2.3 per cent.

The number of US smartphone owners climbed 10 per cent to 82.2 million in the three months ending in July, while the overall number of mobile phone users was 234 million, according to comScore.

Samsung was the most popular handset maker with 25.5 per cent of the market and LG second with 20.9 per cent, comScore reported.

Apple’s beloved iPhones were the fourth most prevalent handsets and accounted for 9.5 per cent of the overall US market, according to the industry tracker.