Conflicting statistics still put Apple's iPad at top of tablet market in Dec. quarter
While differing on some key figures, global tablet industry statistics published on Thursday suggest that the Apple's iPad still has a firm lead as the most popular option, even if the company and the industry as a whole are losing sales.
Apple's 13.1 million shipments gave it a 24.7 percent marketshare according to IDC data, and a 20.6 percent share according to Strategy Analytics. The difference stems from estimates for Lenovo, Huawei, and others, but particularly Amazon, since while Strategy Analytics claimed 3.4 million units for the Fire maker, IDC estimated 5.2 million.
As a consequence the two firms also disagree on how much the industry shrank. While Strategy Analytics calculated a 9 percent decline year-over-year to 63.5 million units, IDC suggested a 20.1 percent drop to 52.9 million.
The latter firm estimated that 9 out of 10 iPads sold in the quarter were cheaper models like the Air 2 or the Mini 4, and not Pros. Similarly, Strategy Analytics commented that average selling prices (ASPs) dipped 4 percent to $423, reflecting the pull of less expensive models.
A 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at $599, while a 12.9-inch model is at least $799. Conversely an iPad Air 2 can be had for as little as $399, and the most budget-conscious can pick up an iPad mini 2 for $269.
Apple didn't release any new iPads last fall, and is instead thought to be saving updates for later this year. Three models are likely to be on offer: updated 9.7- and 12.9-inch tablets, plus a new 10.5-inch device, which could have a sharper screen. The 9.7-inch product could have "budget" specifications.
Apple's 13.1 million shipments gave it a 24.7 percent marketshare according to IDC data, and a 20.6 percent share according to Strategy Analytics. The difference stems from estimates for Lenovo, Huawei, and others, but particularly Amazon, since while Strategy Analytics claimed 3.4 million units for the Fire maker, IDC estimated 5.2 million.
As a consequence the two firms also disagree on how much the industry shrank. While Strategy Analytics calculated a 9 percent decline year-over-year to 63.5 million units, IDC suggested a 20.1 percent drop to 52.9 million.
The latter firm estimated that 9 out of 10 iPads sold in the quarter were cheaper models like the Air 2 or the Mini 4, and not Pros. Similarly, Strategy Analytics commented that average selling prices (ASPs) dipped 4 percent to $423, reflecting the pull of less expensive models.
A 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at $599, while a 12.9-inch model is at least $799. Conversely an iPad Air 2 can be had for as little as $399, and the most budget-conscious can pick up an iPad mini 2 for $269.
Apple didn't release any new iPads last fall, and is instead thought to be saving updates for later this year. Three models are likely to be on offer: updated 9.7- and 12.9-inch tablets, plus a new 10.5-inch device, which could have a sharper screen. The 9.7-inch product could have "budget" specifications.
Comments
Why wouldn't it be??
honestly %20 market share is still too low. Apple should market and develop the iPad more aggressively. %70 is where it should be. I want it to be ubiquitous like iPod. I hear the word "tablet" too often. During the iPod days you hardly heard the word "MP3 player".
The the reason numbers to focus on are, Apple, Samsung and Amazon. Then there are some others yes... but those are the main ones to keep your eye on.
You do realize the only real number in the chart is Apple's number the others are made up. The other companies do not report number in a way which you can challenge them. Apple is one of two US publicly traded companies in the list legally bound by any numbers they report. The other make no statements about their actually numbers. These research companies do some surveys of market channels to come up with the numbers so they a guess at best.
Pretty sure in a holiday quarter, an extra week (which is accumulated at the beginning) doesn't translate to a straight 1/13 more of all sales, given many products are purchased at specific times like Black Friday, and as planned gifts.
But hey, whatever makes you feel smart.
That said, when it comes to business & media, these people are only deluding & hurting themselves. Does the competition read these pieces, or industry reports that do everything possible to make it look like Apple is failing, and think "well, Apple is going to go downhill so we should be good.."? Do analysts or media pundits who make all of the wrong predictions ever wonder if being wrong is really helping their career? The only way you can win in a market is to understand the problem - and those who twist themselves in knots trying to make Apple seem like they are fading or irrelevant are simply ensuring they don't succeed.