A new report from the Independent Data Corp. (IDC)
found that the market share for the Apple iPad was off significantly in the second
quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Apple shipped 14.6 million
fewer units during the quarter and its market share dipped nearly 30%, to
32.4%.
While Apple continued as the No. 1 manufacturer
of tablets worldwide, the IDC report found the competition catching up. Samsung
doubled its market share with a 277% increase in shipments in the second
quarter of 2013, while Asus had a 120% increase in unit shipments, and Lenovo saw
a 314% increase.
The IDC report also said the lack of a new iPad model was
to blame for the Apple sales figures, adding that the market for all tablets slipped
9.7% in the second quarter of 2013.
“A new iPad launch always piques
consumer interest in the tablet category and traditionally that has helped both
Apple and its competitors,” said Tom Mainelli, research director for tablets at
IDC. “With no new iPads, the market slowed for many vendors, and that’s likely
to continue into the third quarter. However, by the fourth quarter, we expect
new products from Apple, Amazon, and others to drive impressive growth in the
market.”
But Eric Zeman points out in his
Information Week column that Apple really never had anywhere to go but down
as more competition ramped up tablet production. And despite the impressive
figures, only Samsung has a double-digit share of the market at 18%, while Asus
owns a 4.5% share and Lenovo comes in at just 3.3%.
“The quarterly sales numbers will
always fluctuate on annual cycles, as well as traditional shopping seasons,”
Zeman wrote. “Apple might have written off its second- (and maybe even third-)
quarter stats by changing its iPad upgrade cycle, but Apple is primed to have a
huge year-end between September and December.”
