Mike Peterson
Apple is maintaining its dominance in the tablet market, shipping more iPad models in the June quarter than both Amazon and Samsung tablets combined, according to new research.
The Cupertino tech giant shipped an estimated 12.9 million iPads in the second quarter of 2021, which corresponds to Apple's third fiscal quarter, according to research firm IDC. For comparison, IDC says that Amazon and Samsung together shipped 12.3 million tablets during the period.
According to IDC, the entire global tablet market grew 4.2% year-over-year in Q2 2021. It hit a total of 40.5 million units.
Apple's 12.9 million units accounted for 31.9% of the total market. The next in line was Samsung, with 19.6% and 8 million units shipped. Lenovo ranked third with 4.7 million units and an 11.6% market share, while Amazon came in fourth with 4.3 million units and a 10.7% share.
The Cupertino tech giant did not have the highest rate of year-over-year growth, however. Apple grew 3.5% between Q2 2020 and Q2 2021. Lenovo had the highest growth with 64.5% growth year-over-year, while Amazon grew 20.3% year-over-year.
IDC also indicates that, while the tablet market is still booming, it is experiencing a slowdown from the surge in growth seen in preceding quarters. In addition, the research firm claims there are concerns that consumer tablet demand could slow much faster than related markets like Chromebooks or PCs.
Apple no longer reports individual unit sales, so IDC's data is based solely on estimates. However, in its last earnings report, Apple said the iPad brought in $7.37 billion in revenue in the June quarter. That marks an 11.9% year-over-year improvement and the iPad's best quarter in nearly a decade.
The California company is reportedly working on new tablet models for launch in 2021, including a redesigned "iPad mini 6," a refreshed iPad Air, and a new entry-level iPad.
Andrew Orr
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11 Comments
This is the first I’m hearing of a new Air model in 2021. When did that happen? All the previous rumors pointed to ‘22 for the mini-LED treatment.
Tablets have a more specific consumer circle than PCs. I'd expect Tablets would slow down after this previous big of a YoY jump. PCs will slow down too but maybe unlikely as much.
With a slowdown it is a game of each manufacturer trying to capture an outsized portion of the existing slowing sales number in order to keep revenue on a YoY growth pace.
Apple is always poised to do well in the Tablet market but there is less to grab. But that doesn't guarantee it for Apple.
PCs? No chance of Apple grabbing an outsized portion of the slowing market sales total without introducing bigger screen Pro level laptops using M1 that has benchmarks that are commensurate with impressive benchmarks of the 13" MBA and MBP.
Chromebooks? Shouldn't even counted as PCs. Chromebooks are a limited PC like device that makes virtually no profit for manufacturers. Provided there are value adds and accessory sales to these manufacturers, yes they can make some profit. But IMHO Chromebook is a different category.