Apple, Samsung capture 58% of global tablet market in Q1 2023

Apple and Samsung led the global tablet market in the first quarter of 2023, together making up nearly 58% of the market even with the post-pandemic changing landscape post-pandemic, shows a report from the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Apple shipped 10.8 million tablets with 35.2% share in Q1, followed by Samsung at 23.1% share and shipping 7.1 million units.

Huawei was third with 6.6% share (2 million units), according to data from IDC.

Worldwide tablet shipments posted a decline of 19.1% (year-over-year) in the first quarter of 2023, reaching 30.7 million units.

The low shipment volume is now comparable to pre-pandemic levels. Shipment volume in Q1 2023 was comparable to the 30.1 million units shipped in Q1 2019 and 31.6 million in Q1 2018.

“Tablet vendors entered the first quarter of 2023 with caution. As expected, both commercial and consumer volumes were low as macro environment remained uncertain throughout Q1,” said Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers.

According to the report, sell-in shipment in the first half of 2023 is expected to be low, with vendors focusing on clearing out their inventory before the launch of newer models. Chromebook shipments also continued to contract in Q1 with shipments totalling 3.8 million units for a year-over-year decline of 31 per cent year over year.

“Despite the downturn in tablet shipments, there’s some reason for optimism as more vendors are paying attention to the space,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager.

“OnePlus’ recent launch and the upcoming Pixel Tablet from Google are clear signs that there’s appetite from the supply side,” he added.

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