If you needed anymore proof of the growing popularity that is Android, look at the above chart. According to The Nielsen Company, twice as many consumers in the U.S. purchased Android powered phones compared to Apple’s iPhone over the past three months. The market research firm found that of those consumers who purchased a new smartphone during the three-month period ending in August, 58% purchased an Android device while 28% purchased either the iPhone 4 or the iPhone 3GS. Only 9% purchased a new BlackBerry smartphone; though in fairness, the time period covered by Nielsen’s survey ended prior to the release of RIM’s new BlackBerry 7 handsets.

In terms of actual platform market share, Nielsen shows that 43% of smartphone owners had an Android device, 28% had an iOS smartphone and 18% owned a BlackBerry. Now looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Nielsen sees a big swing coming for iOS as Apple readies its next-generation iPhone 5. “Every time Apple launches a new iPhone or makes it available on a new wireless carrier, there is an increase in their sales,” says Don Kellogg, Director of Telecom Research & Insights at Nielsen. Smartphone owners made up 43% of the U.S. cell phone market in August according to Nielsen.

Are you surprised by these numbers? Sound off.

[Source Nielsen, Via BGR]