Apple, Samsung capture 58% of global tablet market: Report

Apple, followed by Samsung, led the global tablet market in the first quarter of 2023, accounting for nearly 58 percent of the market despite the changing post-pandemic landscape, according to the report.

Apple shipped 10.8 tablets in the first quarter for a 35.2 percent share, followed by Samsung with a 23.1 percent share and 7.1 million units. Huawei was third with a 6.6 percent share (2 million units), according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Global tablet shipments decreased by 19.1 percent (compared to the same period in 2023) and amounted to 30.7 million units. The low delivery volume is now comparable to the pre-pandemic level. Shipments in the first quarter of 2019 were comparable to 30.1 million units in the first quarter of 2019 and 31.6 million units in the first quarter of 2018.

“Tablet vendors had a cautious start to the first quarter of 2023. As expected, both commercial and consumer volumes were low as the macro environment remained uncertain throughout the first quarter,” said Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst at IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers.

In the first half of 2023, inbound deliveries are expected to be low, with suppliers focusing on clearing inventory ahead of the launch of newer models, according to the report.

Chromebook shipments also declined in the first quarter, with shipments totaling 3.8 million units, which represents a 31 percent year-over-year decrease. “Despite the downturn in tablet shipments, there is cause for optimism as more vendors pay attention to the space,” said research manager Jitesh Ubrani.

“OnePlus’s recent launch and Google’s upcoming Pixel Tablet are clear signs that there is appetite on the supply side,” he added.

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