Android has usurped Apple's iPhone as the most popular smartphone in the UK, according to new research.

But Google shouldn't be resting on its laurels just yet, as the market dominance difference was only a couple of percentage points.

Almost one third - 28 per cent - of UK mobile users sported an Android-based handset, whilst the iPhone was the device of choice for 26 per cent.

BlackBerry trailed in third place in the favour stakes with 14 per cent of the smartphone user base, according to the research conducted by YouGov - on behalf of Intelligent Environments.

Symbian boasted six per cent of the installed user base, whilst Windows wasn't doing so well with just five per cent.

The four million Brits lovingly clutching a smartphone running the Android OS span a mix of ages and professions, proving the technology appeals to both consumers and business users, young and old.

Indeed, a quarter of retired people owning a smartphone favoured Android, while 36 per cent of those aged between 25 and 34 felt the same way.

"The top three mobile platforms in the UK certainly seem to attract different personalities," said James Richards, Intelligent Environments' director of mobile.

"It's fair to say that iPhone and BlackBerry have strong identities but given that Android is on a number of handsets, we are clearly seeing more of a mixed user base."