iPad still dominates tablet sales, but Android makes some inroads

By Joshua Sherman January 31, 2013

Image used with permission by copyright holder

IDC has released the latest report from its Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, which analyzes the performance of top vendors and manufacturers of tablets all over the world. According to the report, tablet sales are up 75 percent from a year ago, along with some serious growth from Samsung and Asus. Apple is still number one, and has seen its market share slide significantly since peaking last year.

Apple’s still holds 43 percent of the tablet market, which is still more than its four closest competitors combined. While the market share for the iPad Maker was nearly 65 percent last year, its market share has slid with the introduction of more tablets and an increasing number of competitors. Apple still sold 48 percent more tablets than during Q4 of last year, and is confident in its new iPad Mini and iPad 5 for 2013.

Despite Apple’s gains, it’s clear that both Samsung and Asus have been eating away at its market share. Samsung has been eyeing Apple’s spot at the top for some time, and has quickly jumped ahead of Amazon in 2012 to take the number two spot in market share. With a 263 percent increase in sales year over year, Samsung is working to close the distance between it and Apple. Another surprising amount of growth came from Asus, maker of Google’s Nexus 7. Asus saw a whopping 402 percent increase in sales year over year, which is certainly attributed to the success of Google’s Nexus series, which uses Asus hardware to fuel the flagship product.

In the end this, data simply show it’s just the beginning for all of these tablet makers. Apple’s still, far and ahead, the leader, but its competitors are starting to show a little steam. Barnes & Noble has found its way back into the top five despite shrinking sales, which gives some faith into the future of the company amid Amazon’s stagnating market share. As 2013 unfolds, all of these companies, among dozens of others, will continue to adapt to win the hearts of consumers everywhere.

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