Just like it did in the smartphone space, it might not be long before Android overtakes Apple in tablet market share.
New stats from researcher Strategy Analytics show that Android now has 39 percent share of global tablet shipments (Q4 2011), it's highest mark ever. Apple's iPad remained at the top of the heap, with 58 percent. Overall, there were 27 million tablets shipped worldwide last quarter.
“Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150 percent from 10.7 million in Q4 2010," said Peter King, director at Strategy Analytics. "Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong. Apple shipped a robust 15.4 million iPads worldwide and maintained its strong market leadership with 58 percent share during the fourth quarter of 2011. Apple shrugged off the much-hyped threat from entry-level Android models this quarter."
“Android captured a record 39 percent share of global tablet shipments in Q4 2011, rising from 29 percent a year earlier," said Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics. "Global Android tablet shipments tripled annually to 10.5 million units. Dozens of Android models distributed across multiple countries by numerous brands such as Amazon, Samsung, Asus and others have been driving volumes. Android is so far proving relatively popular with tablet manufacturers despite nagging concerns about fragmentation of Android’s operating system, user-interface and app store ecosystem."
While Android's surge is certainly worth noting, it's of course important to remember that dozens of tablet PCs run on Android, while Apple only offers one: the iPad. And don't feel to sorry for Apple just yet – keep in mind that both the iPad and the iPhone remain the biggest sellers worldwide in their respective categories. In fact, thanks to record sales of the iPhone 4S, Apple retook the smartphone OS lead from Android in Q4 2011, even if lead is likely to disappear in Q1 2012.
Click here for Strategy Analytics' full report on global tablet OS market share.
