According to new reports from research firms IDC and Strategy Analytics, via 9to5 Mac, Apple
is still dominating tablet sales by a long way, even though the overall category has declined.
Apple reported 13.1 million iPad units sold in its fiscal Q1 report this week, which, while down 19% from the 16.1 million units sold in 2016, still leaves Apple way out in front of its rivals during the vital holiday season in particular.
That said, Apple did have a much sharper decline in shipments than did its nearest rival Samsung, with a fall of just 10% to 8.1 million units shipped in the fourth quarter from 9 million last year.
Strategy Analytics figures also showed that Apple’s iPad Pro results in particular showed a reverse of a 5-year trend in sales for the higher-end tablet, “as consumers flocked to lower-priced slate models and away from higher priced iPad Pro models.”
And MacRumors reports elsewhere that Apple CEO Tim Cook said of the latest figures, “We’ve got some exciting things coming on iPad and I’m optimistic about where things are headed. Customer satisfaction is through the roof. iPad Pro at 99%. So I see a lot of good things and hope for better results.”
Sources: Apple remains on top of tablet market in Q4 despite declines, iPad Pro model penetration just 10%
Tim Cook Says 'Exciting Things' Coming to iPad as Tablet Sales Continue to Drop
