Microsoft claims to have seen "record sales of Windows Phone this holiday"

Microsoft is using CES 2014 as a venue to give an update on sales of Windows Phone devices to members of the media. There was already evidence that products using the OS have gained a lot of sales and increased market share in Europe in the past few months and today Microsoft said that it saw those sales increase even more during the recent holiday sales period.

In a statement sent to Neowin by a Microsoft spokesperson, the company said:

We’ve seen record sales of Windows Phone this holiday worldwide, nearly doubling phone sales during Christmas week (YOY). In the third quarter this year, according to IDC, Windows Phone reinforced its position as a top three smartphone operating system and was the fastest-growing platform among the leading operating systems with 156% year-over-year gain. Windows Phone is the #2 smartphone operating system in 14 markets, and shipped more units than iPhone in 24 markets in Q3. Our portfolio continues to expand: from award-winning flagship devices like the Nokia Lumia 928/1020/1520, to affordable new innovations like the Lumia 520/625/1320 and Huawei W1/W2.

Microsoft says the 14 markets where Windows Phone is currently the number two mobile OS are: