Global shipments of popular tablet computers slowed during the second quarter, as Apple continues to cede market share to some of its top rivals.
Overall, tablet shipments fell nearly 10% compared to the first quarter with 45.1 million units, says a report from research firm IDC. But when compared to the same time last year, shipments surged 59%.
The slowdown in tablet shipments is expected to be brief, as new devices will likely hit the market by the end of the year. "By the fourth quarter we expect new products from Apple, Amazon, and others to drive impressive growth in the market," says Tom Mainelli, IDC's research director for tablets.
Once the dominant frontrunner thanks to its iPad tablet, Apple has seen its market share decline quickly. Apple remains the top tablet vendor, shipping 14.6 million tablets in the second quarter. However, its market share plunged from 60% during the same time last year to 32.4%. Meanwhile, chief rival Samsung's share surged to 18%.
According to IDC's breakdown of tablet operating systems, Apple's iOS and Google's Android have swapped positions between the second quarter of 2012 and this year. During the same time last year, iOS commanded a 60% share in tablets, followed by 38% for Android. This quarter, twice as many Android tablets shipped than iOS devices, leaving Google with a 62.6% share.
"The tablet market is still evolving and vendors can rise and fall quickly as a result," said IDC program manager Ryan Reith. "Apple aside, the remaining vendors are still very much figuring out which platform strategy will be successful over the long run."
Despite the slowdown, tablets are forecast to grow quickly as more consumers select mobile devices over traditional desktop or laptop computers. In May, IDC predicted tablet shipments would surpass the PC market by 2015.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @bam923.
Overall, tablet shipments fell nearly 10% compared to the first quarter with 45.1 million units, says a report from research firm IDC. But when compared to the same time last year, shipments surged 59%.
The slowdown in tablet shipments is expected to be brief, as new devices will likely hit the market by the end of the year. "By the fourth quarter we expect new products from Apple, Amazon, and others to drive impressive growth in the market," says Tom Mainelli, IDC's research director for tablets.
Once the dominant frontrunner thanks to its iPad tablet, Apple has seen its market share decline quickly. Apple remains the top tablet vendor, shipping 14.6 million tablets in the second quarter. However, its market share plunged from 60% during the same time last year to 32.4%. Meanwhile, chief rival Samsung's share surged to 18%.
According to IDC's breakdown of tablet operating systems, Apple's iOS and Google's Android have swapped positions between the second quarter of 2012 and this year. During the same time last year, iOS commanded a 60% share in tablets, followed by 38% for Android. This quarter, twice as many Android tablets shipped than iOS devices, leaving Google with a 62.6% share.
"The tablet market is still evolving and vendors can rise and fall quickly as a result," said IDC program manager Ryan Reith. "Apple aside, the remaining vendors are still very much figuring out which platform strategy will be successful over the long run."
Despite the slowdown, tablets are forecast to grow quickly as more consumers select mobile devices over traditional desktop or laptop computers. In May, IDC predicted tablet shipments would surpass the PC market by 2015.
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @bam923.