There’s no denying that Apple is still the leader in the tablet segment, but according to the latest figures from the IDC, Android OEMs are giving Apple a run for its money. In the third quarter, Apple’s tablet market share shrunk to 50.4%, down from 65.5% in Q2. Over the same time period, Samsung managed to grow its sales to 5.1 million units, increasing its market share to 18.4% – a 115% increase from Q2.
Unfortunately, Android’s gains in Q3 may be muted by Apple’s launch of the iPad Mini. Analysts seem to think that Apple’s smaller iPad will help the company regain a bit of momentum, but the $329 starting price may actually play in Android’s favor. Consumers seem to agree that $199 is the perfect price for a 7-inch tablet like the Kindle Fire or the Nexus 7.
How much longer will we have to wait until Android will dominate the tablet sector?
| Vendor |
3Q12 Shipments |
3Q12 Market Share |
3Q11 Shipments |
3Q11 Market Share |
3Q12/3Q11 Growth |
| 1. Apple |
14.0 |
50.4% |
11.1 |
59.7% |
26.1% |
| 2. Samsung |
5.1 |
18.4% |
1.2 |
6.5% |
325.0% |
| 3. Amazon.com |
2.5 |
9.0% |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| 4. Asus |
2.4 |
8.6% |
0.7 |
3.8% |
242.9% |
| 5. Lenovo |
0.4 |
1.4% |
0.2 |
1.1% |
100.0% |
| Others |
3.3 |
12.2% |
5.4 |
28.9% |
-38.9% |
| All Vendors |
27.8 |
100% |
18.6 |
100% |
49.5% |
