Global tablet sales growth slows in 2014
Rate of growth drops from 52.5% to 7.2% as Android tightens its grip on the market and iPad sales tumble year-on-year
The growth in sales of tablets globally have slowed dramatically during 2014 as Appleâs flagship iPad devices suffered a particularly difficult year, according to figures released by researchers IDC.
IDC forecast total sales for iPads in 2014 will reach 64.9 million units, a decline of 12.7% year-on-year on Appleâs tablet sales in 2013 despite the manufacturer marketing its largest range of tablet products to date.
After launching its new iPad Mini and iPad Air tablets early this year Apple chose not to discontinue a previous line as it had before, instead electing to continue to sell its first generation iPad Mini and iPad Air products at discounted prices.
Appleâs slump in sales was indicative of the entire tablet market with total tablet sales expected to reach 235.7 million units in 2014, 7.2% up on 2013âs sales figures.
Although sales have increased, the rate at which they have grown is far lower than the 52.5% recorded between 2012 and 2013 and IDC program director Ryan Reith said this was down to the trend for longer than expected product life cycles.
âIn the early stages of the tablet market device lifecycles were expected to resemble those of smartphones, with replacement occurring every 2-3 years,â Reith said.
âWhat has played out instead is that many tablet owners are holding onto their devices for more than three years and in some instances more than four years,â he added.
Android continues to maintain a tight grip on the tablet market with a 68% share however Apple is the largest single brand in the tablet market, manufacturing 27.5% of tablets sold in 2014.