Android has been a runaway success story since the mobile platform was first launched by Google in Q4 2008. Operators, developers and manufacturers, from Alcatel to ZTE, have rushed to jump on the bandwagon. A combination of low licensing costs, catchy sub-branding, good touchscreen usability and extensive services have been the four main reasons for its popularity. Worldwide Android smartphone sales grew an astonishing 44000% during the first three years since launch, eclipsing Apple's more modest (but still impressive) 11000% performance for the same timeframe. However, Android's sales growth, in percentage terms, has peaked. Android grew 81% globally in 2011 and we forecast it to slow to 22% in 2013. Apple iOS is squeezing Android in many areas of the maturing postpaid market, while Android's growth across the emerging prepaid category is not fully offsetting this trend. More details of our Android smartphone forecast for 88 countries worldwide can be found in this published report from our Wireless Smartphone Strategies (WSS) service.