Global tablet shipments have made a modest recovery in the first quarter of 2024. According to data from IDC, shipments totaled 30.8 million units, marking a 0.5% increase. This growth is a silver lining after over two years of continuous decline since mid-2021, a downturn attributed primarily to market saturation.

The slight uptick in shipments this quarter may be a beacon of optimism for the industry, ending a slump that began in the second quarter of 2021. IDC analysts suggest that a cycle of technology refreshment has begun to stir the waters, though it’s anticipated that the surge won’t reach the heights observed during the pandemic when demand for tablets soared.

Interestingly, this period of growth comes amidst persistent economic headwinds. The first quarter of 2024’s rise in shipments coincides with consumers gravitating towards higher-end tablets. These premium devices are increasingly sought after for their enhanced productivity capabilities. However, it’s worth noting that in the final quarter of 2023, tablet shipments saw a significant year-over-year drop of 17.4%.

See also: Tablets price list in the Philippines

Global-tablet-shipments-market-share-Q1-2024-IDC

Diving into the performances of key players in the market during the first quarter of 2024, several trends emerge:

  • Apple witnessed an 8.5% decline in shipments compared to last year, a situation likely influenced by prevailing economic conditions and abscence of new product releases. The tech giant is reportedly focusing on clearing existing inventory before introducing new models in the second quarter of 2024.
  • Samsung held onto its second place ranking but wasn’t immune to the downturn, resulting in a 5.8% decline in shipments. The company’s strategy appears to pivot towards enhancing user experiences and pushing their premium offerings, despite a current lack of fresh products.
  • HUAWEI managed to stay in third place, finally overcoming the negative trend with a substantial 43.6% year-over-year growth, translating to 2.9 million units shipped. A resurgence in its smartphone segment might have played a role in this impressive performance as well.
  • Lenovo claimed the fourth spot with its 13.2% uptick in shipments. Their Tab P series’ success with detachable models contributed to this growth, even as slate tablets continue to dominate their sales.
  • Xiaomi rounds out the top five, boasting a staggering 92.6% growth from the previous year, with 1.8 million tablets shipped. The company’s significant expansion beyond its largest market in China speaks to its growing international appeal.

As we proceed through 2024, these figures will not only shape the competitive landscape but also reflect changing consumer preferences in the evolving global tech economy.

Source: IDC

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