Tablet Sales Set to Increase
Tablet Sales Set to Increase by UCStrategies Staff
The holiday season is approaching and tablet sales are expected to increase to such an extent that IDC, the research firm, stated last week that it would increase its tablet sales forecast to 122.3 million units for 2012.
The forecast (which originally stood at 117.1 million units) has been increased as a result of the jump in sales of Android-based tablets, as well as the greatened demand for the new iPad mini.
A research director of tablets at IDC, Tom Mainelli, said: “Tablets continue to captivate consumers, and as the market shifts toward smaller, more mobile screen sizes and lower prices points, we expect demand to accelerate in the fourth quarter and beyond. Android tablets are gaining traction in the market thanks to solid products from Google, Amazon, Samsung and others. And Apple's November iPad mini launch, along with its surprise refresh of the full-sized iPad, positions the company well for a strong holiday season.”
IDC predicts that Apple's iPad will stand at the top spot in this year's market with a 53.8 percent share of the worldwide tablet market, but this is a decrease from last year's 56.3 percent share. This is due to the increase in demand for Android-based tablets.
Android-based tablets will likely have 42.7 percent of the worldwide tablet market, an increase from last year's 39.8 percent share.
The program manager for IDC's Mobile Device Trackers, Ryan Reith, said: “The breadth and depth of Android has taken full effect on the tablet market as it has for the smartphone space. Android tablet shipments will certainly act as the catalyst for growth in the low-cost segment in emerging markets given the platform's low barrier to entry on manufacturing.”
IDC projects that Windows-based tablets will increase by one percent, capturing 2.9 percent of the market share this year. It is expected that in the next four years Windows RT and Windows 8 will continue pushing into the market, and will reach 10.3 percent, according to IDC.
It is also expected, according to IDC, that the number of units sold next year will increase to 172.4 million (up from 165.9 million). By 2016, 282.7 million tablet units are projected for shipment, an increase from IDC's previously suggested 261.4 units. (CY) Link