Opera has parlayed access to the iPhone platform into an increased lead in the global mobile browser market over rivals, including iPhone maker Apple, independent data show.
In April Apple accepted distribution of Opera's browser for its iPhone after a long review, opening a new and potentially lucrative market it has so far closely guarded from rivals.
In April alone Opera's iPhone browser was downloaded more than 2.6 million times - creating 70% of user growth in the month for Opera's mobile browser.
Globally, 26.4% of mobile phone browsing in June so far has been done through Opera's browser, according to web analytics firm StatCounter. The iPhone browser follows with 18% of the market.
The lead has increased steadily since February when Opera's lead over Apple was just 2.5 percentage points.
"It is good for Opera that his user mass is growing, because this is what Opera takes to the operator to show how many users they have," said Christian Rom, analyst at Carnegie.
