Tablet Market Grew Less than Expected in First Quarter, 2012

The global tablet market did not grow as fast as analysts at International Data Corporation had expected in the first quarter of 2012. A steep drop in shipments of Android-based tablets offset a strong quarter from Apple, according to International Data Corporation Worldwide Quarterly Media Tablet and eReader Tracker.

Total worldwide media tablet shipments for the quarter reached 17.4 million units in the first quarter of 2012, about 1.2 million units below IDC's projection for the quarter.

While IDC predicted a sharp seasonal slowdown of -34 percent from the previous quarter’s record-breaking 28.2 million units, the actual decline was slightly steeper at -38.4 percent.

The total still represents a robust year-over-year growth rate of 120 percent, up from 7.9 million units in the first quarter of 2011.

Apple shipped 11.8 million iPads during the quarter, down from 15.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011, and grew its worldwide share from 54.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 68 percent in the first quarter of 2012.

Amazon, which had 16.8 percent of the market on shipment of 4.8 million units, saw its share decline significantly in the first quarter to just over four percent, falling to third place as a result.

Samsung took the number-two position while Lenovo vaulted into the number four spot, followed by Barnes & Noble at number five.

Although total Android shipments were down sharply in the first quarter of 2012, companies such as Samsung and Lenovo are beginning to gain traction in the market with their latest generation of Android products. IDC expects the segment to rebound quickly as other vendors introduce new products in the second quarter and beyond.

"The worldwide tablet market is entering a new phase in the second half of 2012 that will undoubtedly reshape the competitive landscape," said Bob O'Donnell, program vice president, Clients and Displays. "While Apple will continue to sit comfortably on the top for now, the battle for the next several positions is going to be fierce. Throw in Ultrabooks, the launch of Windows 8, and a few surprise product launches, and you have all the makings of an incredible 2012 holiday shopping season."