iPad 2 still most used iPad model, early adoption rates for iPads on decline
iPad 2 was still the most commonly-used iPad in October, despite the numerous other models shipped since 2011, according to a study published on Friday by analytics firm Localytics.
Based on data collected from over 50 million iPads, the iPad 2 represented 20 percent of devices in use, Localytics said. Following suit were the iPad mini at 18 percent, and the iPad Air at 17 percent.
Apple's current flagship iPads -- the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 -- accounted for just 9 percent and 0.3 percent of usage, respectively. In comparison, the original iPad from 2010 claimed a 3 percent share.
Localytics suggested that the discrepancy is attributable to longer lifecycles, since unlike iPhones there aren't normally any contracts attached to an iPad. People are also said to be taking advantage of older models staying on sale at a discount -- the iPad mini 2, for instance, can be had for $269, much less than the $499 Air 2 or the $399 Mini 4.
The firm added that first-month adoption of new iPads has been on the decline since 2012, and in fact declined precipitously in 2013. The only new iPad released in 2015 so far, the Mini 4, had early adoption of just 0.2 percent.
The iPad Pro could potentially make a bigger dent than recent models, Locayltics said, since it makes significant deviations, including not just a larger screen but first-party stylus and keyboard accessories. Apple is allegedly switching the iPad from a purely consumption-oriented device to one with work functions.
"Perhaps this transition will also prevent the tablet from being phased out by the 'phablet' by providing services that a phablet can't," Localytics concluded.
Based on data collected from over 50 million iPads, the iPad 2 represented 20 percent of devices in use, Localytics said. Following suit were the iPad mini at 18 percent, and the iPad Air at 17 percent.
Apple's current flagship iPads -- the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 -- accounted for just 9 percent and 0.3 percent of usage, respectively. In comparison, the original iPad from 2010 claimed a 3 percent share.
Localytics suggested that the discrepancy is attributable to longer lifecycles, since unlike iPhones there aren't normally any contracts attached to an iPad. People are also said to be taking advantage of older models staying on sale at a discount -- the iPad mini 2, for instance, can be had for $269, much less than the $499 Air 2 or the $399 Mini 4.
The firm added that first-month adoption of new iPads has been on the decline since 2012, and in fact declined precipitously in 2013. The only new iPad released in 2015 so far, the Mini 4, had early adoption of just 0.2 percent.
The iPad Pro could potentially make a bigger dent than recent models, Locayltics said, since it makes significant deviations, including not just a larger screen but first-party stylus and keyboard accessories. Apple is allegedly switching the iPad from a purely consumption-oriented device to one with work functions.
"Perhaps this transition will also prevent the tablet from being phased out by the 'phablet' by providing services that a phablet can't," Localytics concluded.
Comments
I will finally upgrade to the Pro because of the size and pen, but so not foresee putting the 2 away any time soon. Two different case use products.
I stopped using my iPad 2 when I bought the 3rd gen (which I did when it first came out). I've been a regular user of it for over three years now, and couldn't be happier. That said, the battery life is down to something like 8 hours (from ~10), and I find that the processor is noticeably slower (compared to, say, that of my current iPhone).
It is an incredibly robust product. I think its life in use is as good as, if not better than, that of my typical MBP purchase.
I still use mine several times a week, on the side while gaming on my iPad Air.
I know people who still use iPad 1's in a serious way--artists even. Hard to imagine!
These people have a treat in store when they finally upgrade. MASSIVE improvement!
And even then... the kids will find uses for those old models.
Some say an iPad's long useful life is a bad thing, but not from where I'm standing.
I stopped using my iPad 2 when I bought the 3rd gen (which I did when it first came out). I've been a regular user of it for over three years now, and couldn't be happier. That said, the battery life is down to something like 8 hours (from ~10), and I find that the processor is noticeably slower (compared to, say, that of my current iPhone).
It is an incredibly robust product. I think its life in use is as good as, if not better than, that of my typical MBP purchase.
I agree with you about the iPad 3 - still serviceable, though mine is collecting dust, I need to sell it - but satisfied iPad 2 users are, well, with all due respect to them, complacent. Then again, maybe they're only interested in content consumption...?
I've A/B'd selected apps between friends' iPad 2s and my Air 2, and the old 2nd gen is just a dog by comparison. You could not pay me to go back to using one.
[edit: minor tweak]
Still using my iPad 2 running iOS 9.1. It’s a bit sluggish but serviceable. May be time for an upgrade but I’m not in any hurry. My Apple addiction has cost me some bucks this year with an ?Watch and the new ATV4. It would have to be Santa for a new iPad but I told Santa I wanted a new subwoofer for my home theater system. Oh the trials and tribulations of being a materialistic capitalist.
What Apple needs more than anything for iPads is to aggressively kill all old models and the 16GB model. And to start at $299 and $399 for 32GB mini 4 and Air 3 models. A better value/performance proposition for iPad is what the market wants.
"What Apple needs more than anything for iPads is to aggressively kill all old models..."
Agreed. And they can essentially do that by making iOS 10 64-bit only.
Except Schiller is convinced Apple needs an iPad at $249 so all pricing is derived from that starting point.
I had iPad 2 and was blown away. But was irked it didn't have retina and was kind of bulky. Then I sold that for iPad 3 (Too heavy, great screen), sold that for Mini (amazing lightness, low res screen), then got a Air (near perfect but could be a bit thinner, more ram and needed Touch ID). Then got a Air 2. Wala. Perfect. When I got the Air 2 I thought it would be mighty difficult for Apple to improve the design/screen. I wasn't surprised they didn't update it this year.
I think where it comes to the keen apple folk, like ourselves, it's also the one that ends up last on the list... I mean i dont know about you guys but i dont have infinite financial resources! I have the new iphone each year, then i had a new computer -an iMac- this year, and the 800 euro apple watch to get.
I imagine most people have 1) Mac - either portable or desktop 2) iphone and now 3) watch. I mean the Tablet is nice, but really.. APple has hardly done anything to it to make me leap - they didnt even bother to update the Air. The pro is great,i am sure, bt it doesnt replace my need for an iMac,and in any event i dont have the money..
Ultimately, my iPad '3' continues to work just fine for BBC iPlayer, which i watch in bed several evenings a week! I dont really use it otherwise
I bought it so I could left my clunky HP laptop at home, and use it in my lectures and classes.
I'd expected that its battery life would bomb when the AppleCare (which I got) expired, some two and a half years ago, but no. Now it's in constant daily use for 4 and a half years (older than my son) and it lasts easily more than 8 hours.
If anything, the fault for the longer update cycle so condemned by so called analysts is the quality of the product itself.
iOS 9 did cause some sluggish behavior and somewhat frequent springboard crashes, but it is still my primary computing device when I don't need to gear up my LaTeX files or do some Matlab simulation.
A colleague at work have one too, his 3 year old son used it as a skateboard with no wheels, cracking the display and the aluminum shell, guess what, it still works!!! This device is rock solid!
What, in between jail stints?
Yes, you're correct, the iPad 2 was on sale for a very long time. However, there really were two versions of the iPad 2. About the time Apple ame out with the iPad 3, they redesigned the iPad 2 internally with some better innards, and it was this version that remained on sale for much longer. It was the favorite version to give away during promotions by various companies... a place now occupied by one of the iPad Minis.
The article didn't mention it, but does the iPad 2 qualify to be upgraded to the latest version of iOS? I thought not, but now am unsure.
We have an original iPad that still gets trotted out for people to enter their contact information on at local events. That's pretty much all it's used for any more. I also have a "3" which I use for streaming and reading mostly.
Funnily, since the original's iOS development is stopped, it still has the skeuomorphic look, and some people asked "wow - what kind of tablet is that?!"
When I said it was an iPad, they almost didn't believe me.
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