The latest numbers from ABI Research are in, and it shows the continuation of a recent trend in the tablet market. While the Apple iPad once had an overwhelming lead in global tablet market share (due to the fact that it had created the category), Samsung's Android powered slates are beginning to catch up. ABI Research has just reported its first quarter figures, and year-over-year Apple saw a decline of 10.1% percent in tablet shipments to 16.4 million units. During the same three month period, Samsung showed an increase of 10.80% in tablet shipments to hit a total of 13 million units shipped. Including the Nexus 7, Asus was third with 2.1 million slates in transit from January through March. That was a decline of .8% from the previous year.
Android continues to lead the way with a 56.3% share of new tablet shipments from January through March of this year. A 39.6% share was scooped up by iOS in Q1, followed by the 4.1% share belonging to Windows 8/RT. It should be noted that because not all vendors have reported, the figures have an accuracy rate of +/- 3%.
"Despite questions remaining about data disclosure in 2010 and 2011, Samsung’s release of tablet sales data this past quarter is a good sign for the mobile computing market. Whether due to its confidence in the economy, its own business, or a combination of reasons, Samsung continues to demonstrate tablet growth as its 2013 retail push in North America and Western Europe pays off."-Jeff Orr, senior practice director, ABI Research
The two rivals, Samsung and Apple, combined to account for 71% of the 41.3 million branded tablets that shipped in the first quarter. The 3.4 million tablet difference between the two was the closest to date. In addition, 22% of the tablets shipped with an embedded modem (3G/4G), the highest figure since the September quarter in 2011. ABI also pointed out that "as major advanced markets become saturated, buyers are expanding their tablet use case, which is also pushing up the ASP (Average Selling Price) in these markets."
ABI Research's latest numbers show Samsung closing in on the Apple iPad
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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