Android Tablets Gain on Apple iPad in Market Share
Apple's iPad may still be the leader of the tablet computer market, but its supremacy is not impregnable anymore. According to the new data provided by Strategy Analytics, the iPad's market share has started diminishing due to the rise of tablets powered by Google's Android platform.
The iPad accounted for 75 percent of global tablet shipments in the three months ended December 31, 2010. Although the figure confirms the iPad's dominance in the market, it showed quite a fall from the 95 percent share in the third quarter. In the meantime, shipments of Android tablets leaped from 2.3 percent to 21.6 percent, demonstrating an impressive almost-tenfold increase in just three months.
When it comes to sales figures, Apple shipped 7.3 million iPads in the fourth quarter, up 74 percent from the previous period. Android tablets also saw a rising trend from about 100,000 units to 2.1 million shipments, said the research firm. However, one should note that the data represents the number of units shipped from manufacturers to vendors, not sold to end-users. That means it shows retailers' confidence in the products, instead of actual consumer demand.
Samsung, Dell and other manufacturers together have been fueling the growth of Android tablets, but the gaining momentum of the platform is mostly brought by the popular Galaxy Tab. Still, these tablets run on either OS 2.2 or 2.3, which are aimed at smartphones. With the upcoming debut of Android 3.0, the first platform optimized for tablet use, analysts are expecting more powerful devices from various players to arrive and further erode the iPad's market lead this year. Its share of the global market will likely drop to 67 percent this quarter, according to Strategy Analytics.
So will Apple be able to stay well ahead in the face of intensifying competition from Android? We just have to wait and see.
Tags: Apple iPad Accessories, Samsung Galaxy Tab Accessories, Samsung Accessories, Dell Accessories, Motorola Accessories, HTC Accessories, LG Accessories
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