For the first time since tablet craze began, Apple has fallen under 50% market share in tablet market. Despite still being the top tablet vendor, its share of tablets shipped in the last quarter of 2012 came to only 43.6% of the tablets shipped. Apple had over 90% of tablet share in 2011.
As for what is causing Apple to fall back, is Android tablets. Android tablets are outpacing Apple’s shipments in a very sharp increase from 2011 and on. However after Google started distributing Android versions optimized for tablets, Apple started falling down fast.
Another reason is, Google allows anyone to produce and sell android tablets. This is causing a huge variety of android tablets both in features, and in prices – quite proportionally to boot ; android tablets come more powerful, and cheaper than apple tablets in recent years.
A simple search for “Apple iPad” at Amazon shows Apple tablets come no cheaper than $400, whereas a search for “Android tablet” at Amazon brings up a mind boggling variety of features and prices, ranging from dirt cheap $55 simple tablets to mind-boggling, Intel Core 5 powered, 4Gb memory $1400 Samsung tablet. Whereas Apple tablets’ same-class competitors like Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 are priced merely around $350.
Its no surprise Apple is losing market share in tablet market this fast – they end up more expensive, less featured and powerful from even their same class competitors, leave aside the huge variety offered by Android tablets in advanced and entry levels. As far as tablets go, future seems to be Android, unless Apple wises up to the situation and starts offering more powerful and varied tablet selections, and improves their pricing in their existing segment. However considering Apple’s cult approach to consumers, and their reaction to same thing happening in the Smartphone market, it is more possible that they will just let some market share go, and be content with it.
You can read more details about Apple’s lost market share, and other up-comers in tablet market in Wptv’s article.
