The Google Android system was used on 78.9 percent of smartphones sold globally in 2013, a Strategy Analytics survey showed on Wednesday. The report by the research firm Strategy Analytics confirms the ascendancy of Android, which has extended its lead over Apple's iOS, which is used on the iPhone.

"However, Android's annual growth rate slowed to 62 percent in 2013, its lowest level in the platform's history. We expect Android's growth to slow further in 2014 due to market saturation, and rivals like Microsoft or Firefox will be ready to pounce on any signs of a major slowdown for Android this year," said Neil Mawston, analyst with Strategy Analytics.

According to the report, Apple's global market share slipped to 15.5 percent in 2013 from 19.4 percent in 2012. Meanwhile Windows Phone grabbed third place with a 3.6 percent share, up from 2.7 percent a year earlier.

"The Windows Phone platform is still struggling to gain traction in the low-tier and premium-tier smartphone categories and they remain serious weaknesses that Microsoft will need to address in 2014," Mawston added.

Strategy Analytics said global smartphone sales rose 41 percent last year to 990 million.

A report Monday by IDC said the total was just over one billion.