The tablet market is not as lucrative as the smartphone market so many manufacturers are pulling out from this market. However, a few manufacturers are quite good at this market and are making the most from it. In addition to the quarterly report on mobile phones, IDC this week also released a global tablet market analysis report for the third quarter of 2020. The global tablet market achieved a year-on-year growth of 24.9% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, with shipments reaching 47.6 million units. However, the 32.9% year-on-year growth recorded by Huawei caught the most attention.
Samsung and Lenovo had the highest year-on-year growth recording 89.2% and 62.4% respectively. However, nobody expected Huawei to record growth. With the ban and all that is currently ravaging the company, a loss at best was imminent. However, Huawei seems to be stronger than we think. We just have to see how much longer the company can maintain these growths.
Due to the limitations of the pandemic, the demand for basic computing and large-screen devices, including the need to facilitate remote work, study, and leisure, has promoted the tablet market. With the increase in consumer spending on technology, other categories such as catering, entertainment, and tourism declined during the pandemic.
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| Vendor | 3Q20 Unit Shipments | 3Q20 Market Share | 3Q19 Unit Shipments | 3Q19 Market Share | Year-Over-Year Growth |
| 1. Apple | 13.9 | 29.2% | 11.8 | 31.1% | 17.4% |
| 2. Samsung | 9.4 | 19.8% | 5.0 | 13.0% | 89.2% |
| 3. Amazon.com | 5.4 | 11.4% | 5.5 | 14.4% | -1.2% |
| 4. Huawei | 4.9 | 10.2% | 3.7 | 9.6% | 32.9% |
| 5. Lenovo | 4.1 | 8.6% | 2.5 | 6.6% | 62.4% |
| Others | 9.9 | 20.9% | 9.6 | 25.3% | 3.1% |
| Total | 47.6 | 100.0% | 38.1 | 100.0% | 24.9% |
| Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly PCD Tracker, October 29, 2020 | |||||
Apple
Apple shipped 13.9 million units in the third quarter of 2020, once again leading the tablet market, with revenue increasing by 17.4% year-on-year. Although the iPad (2019) maintained the largest share of shipments, the latest iPad (2020), despite being released at the end of the quarter, still recorded considerable shipments.
Samsung
Samsung once again won the second place with 9.4 million units shipped and 89.2% year-on-year growth. The company launched the Galaxy Tab S7+ in the third quarter, which is the world’s first 5G tablet, making it one of the first tablet suppliers to adopt 5G.
Amazon
Amazon slipped to third place in the third quarter of 2020, with shipments totaling 5.4 million units. The recently released 8-inch tablet accounts for the largest share of shipments in the third quarter of 2020, and the 10.1-inch tablet computer followed closely. Amazon’s children’s tablets have also maintained a strong momentum on 8-inch and 10-inch tablets.
Huawei
Despite being sanctioned by the US government, Huawei shipped 4.9 million units in the third quarter of 2020. This is a year-on-year increase of 32.9%. However, due to the lack of Google’s mobile services, whether its tablet lineup can ensure the supply of suitable accessories is still a question. Therefore, the business prospects of Huawei’s tablet PCs remain unclear .
Lenovo
Lenovo ranks fifth in the quarter, with a year-on-year growth of 62.4% and shipments of 4.1 million units. Lenovo’s Tablet PC Tablet PC performed well, mainly driven by affordable tablet PCs, which is crucial in the current situation.
