Apple’s iPad continues to lead the tablet market

Apple continued to lead the tablet market with nearly double the shipments of its nearest competitor during the third quarter fo 2018, according to new data from IDC.

The iPad now has 26.6% of the global tablet market based on quarter three sales of 9.7 million units. Worldwide tablet market declined 8.6% during the third quarter of 2018 (3Q18) as global shipments fell to 36.4 million

IDC says the refreshed $329 iPad with Pencil support that launched in late March continued to drive volume although it was unable to maintain the same momentum from the third quarter of 2017 as that was the first time in a while that Apple had released a lower cost iPad. iPad Pro saw year-on-year declines in anticipation of a refresh at the beginning of the fourth quarter, “which bodes well for Apple through the end of the year,” adds the research group.

Samsung maintained its position as the second leading tablet manufacturer despite a year-on-year decline. Its detachable portfolio grew modestly, however that growth was outweighed by continued declines in the slate category. IDC says Samsung continues to face pressure in its lower and mid-market segments as competitors offer slate tablets at a better value.