Source: StatCounter Global Stats - Mobile Browser Market Share

When you look at the global statistics, there is no doubt that the most popular mobile browser is Opera. What I find interesting is the decline in the popularity of the iPhone and iPad in terms of market share. This may continue as Android continues to take a larger share of the market. When you look at the statistics for the United States, you get a totally different picture, as shown below.

In the US, the native browser for the mobile device dominates the browser statistics. Both graphs show one truth. To reach the maximum mobile audience, you cannot develop Web sites are applications that target a specific mobile device. While Opera and Nokia retain a very small share of the US market, this could change. The StraightTalk phone lineup now includes two Nokia phones, and Wal-Mart is having a difficult time keeping then in stock.