Global tablet plus 2-in-1 shipments slipped to 50.4 million units in the first calendar quarter of 2014 (1Q14).<\/p>\n
The total represents a sequential decline of 35.7% from the high-volume holiday quarter and just 3.9% growth over the same period a year ago.<\/p>\n
This is according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker.<\/p>\n
The slowdown was felt across operating systems and screen sizes and likely points to an even more challenging year ahead for the category, IDC said.<\/p>\n
“The rise of large-screen phones and consumers who are holding on to their existing tablets for ever longer periods of time were both contributing factors to a weaker-than-anticipated quarter for tablets and 2-in-1s,” said IDC’s Tom Mainelli.<\/p>\n
“In addition, commercial growth has not been robust enough to offset the slowing of consumer shipments.”<\/p>\n
Apple maintained its lead in the worldwide tablet plus 2-in-1 market, shipping 16.4 million units, although down from 26.0 million units in the previous quarter and well below its total of 19.5 million units in the first quarter of 2013.<\/p>\n
Despite the contraction, the company saw its share of the market slip only modestly to 32.5%, down from the previous quarter’s share of 33.2%.<\/p>\n
Samsung once again grew its worldwide share, increasing from 17.2% last quarter to 22.3%. Rounding out the top five were ASUS (5%), Lenovo (4.1%), and Amazon (1.9%).<\/p>\n
“With roughly two-thirds share, Android continues to dominate the market,” said research analyst, Jitesh Ubrani.<\/p>\n
“Although its share of the market remains small, Windows devices continue to gain traction thanks to sleeper hits like the Asus T100, whose low cost and 2-in-1 form factor appeal to those looking for something that’s ‘good enough’.”<\/p>\n
PC market faces eighth consecutive quarterly slump<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Tablet market continues surge in SA<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n PC sales decline not as bad as forecasts<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n