Research firm IDC is making a bold forecast that Microsoft’s Windows Phone will actually overtake Apple’s iOS mobile operating system in terms of market share in 2016.

That’s four years from now but given the traction Microsoft currently has with Windows Phone, the prediction is still bold.

According to the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report of the research firm, Microsoft’s Windows Phone will grow to take 19.2 percent market share in 2016 or almost quadruple the current market share of the platform right now which stands at 5.2 percent.

On the other hand, Apple – with its iOS mobile OS – will see its market share shrink from the current 20.5 percent market share to 19 percent.

IDC predicts that Android will also decline in terms of market share from the current 61 percent to 52.9 percent.

“Windows Phone 7/Windows Mobile will gain share despite a slow start. Windows Phone 7/Windows Mobile will be aided by Nokia’s strength in key emerging markets. IDC expects it to be the number 2 OS with more than 19% share in 2016, assuming Nokia’s foothold in emerging markets is maintained,” IDC said in its report.

Image from Michele Ficara Manganelli on Flickr (CC)

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .