Lack of new models sinks Apple, Samsung tablet sales

According to the latest report from Strategy Analytics, worldwide tablet shipments increased five per cent YoY to reach 52.4 million units in 2Q14. However, tablet shipments from the two market leaders, Apple and Samsung, were down on 2Q13 volumes.

Asus and Lenovo were the only top-five ranked vendors delivering shipment growth over 2Q13. Despite declining shipments, Apple and Samsung still retained a 41 per cent share of the global market. White box vendors capitalised on the demand for low cost tablets, with shipments up almost two million units over 2Q13.

Global vendor shipments of tablet computers in 2Q14 (preliminary)

"The lack of new models from Apple clearly hurt the company's shipments, but we expect new products in Q4 to reinvigorate shipments," said Peter King, director of tablets at Strategy Analytics. King said that Samsung probably suffered from high inventory built up during its 1Q14. "We expect both Apple and Samsung to have a stronger second half year with Q4 particularly strong due to new models and year-end seasonal promotion."

- Peter Clarke
??EE Times Europe