iPad Grabs 58% of Tablet Shipments in 4Q 2011

[Tarzanman]

How many Galaxy Tab's were sold in the past quarter?

Apparently enough. Prices for used ones have been going UP on craigslist lately. People are rooting them UMTS (GSM) variants and using them as unlocked phones.

I just bought a 2nd Tab 7 (the original) for my parents. They seriously considered an iPad, but decided that they wanted something that would work well as an e-reader (size) and world phone capabilities for when they travel.

If all they had been doing was web browsing, then I would have suggested an iPad 2.

As an aside, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 (which marks Samsung's 4th or 5th tablet, depending on whether you count the 5-inch galaxy Note as a true tablet) was just released.

The chart is bundling Android tablets together as a whole because they would need to list like 20+ devices otherwise. For pete's sake, even Lenovo has 2 different android tablets!

 

[TMay]

Ok you know what guys ? You're right. You always were right, and we were just wrong. Kindle Fire is just another Android device, same as all those cheap crap chinese tablets running Android 1.6 and other crap.

They should all be counted under Android in the chart.

Can we move on to more productive discussion ? I'm kind of tired of the density in the air here now.

One would think that Google would have touted the announcement of the Fire as another win for the Android OS.

Crickets...

I hate to put it this way, but Fandroids want to run up the score on the Fire's prowess. People that have a need for the data, like developers, will make the accommodation for the Fire either within or outside of the Android OS. Reality has not changed in the slightest.

I will note how Fandroids never allow iOS, which includes the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad collectively, to be counted up against the Android OS.

 

[SuperMatt]

Apple sold 15 million iPads last quarter, and I see them everywhere I go. I have seen ZERO Android tablets "in the wild." So, if there are 2 of them for every 3 iPads, where are they? I'm calling BS on these numbers.

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This research, like most of the research these analysts publish, is so full of holes it's untrue.

You CANNOT compare sold vs shipped figures - jesus I am so sick of saying the same thing over and over again.

Real world experience says that Apple's tablet share is much, much higher - I've seen lots of iPads around but haven't seen any Android based tablets.

Grrrr...

This "Shipped" number is also not true. Didn't Apple say they had 4 to 6 weeks of channel inventory at the end of the quarter? If so, then the "shipped" number of iPads should be increased by that amount, if they've been shipped into the channel inventory. And yet... utter BS.

 

[aperry]

One would think that Google would have touted the announcement of the Fire as another win for the Android OS.

Crickets...

I hate to put it this way, but Fandroids want to run up the score on the Fire's prowess. People that have a need for the data, like developers, will make the accommodation for the Fire either within or outside of the Android OS. Reality has not changed in the slightest.

I will note how Fandroids never allow iOS, which includes the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad collectively, to be counted up against the Android OS.

Um, no, there are no crickets chirping. And if you had followed the thread, this questions has already been answered several times. Google doesn't make money off of the Kindle Fire devices because those devices are stripped of the Google services and they use a different Android marketplace. So why would they want to publicize the Fire and risk losing customers who would otherwise buy competing Android devices that *do* make money for Google?

Crickets.....

By the way, I have an iPad2 and an iPhone 4s. In fact, I've owned all generations of iPad and iPhone. I have no idea why you think this side of the argument is "fandroid". I have no vested interest in this, as the only thing that matters to me is that the market is finally showing signs of competition, which is good for everyone. As for Amazon, they took an existing OS, slapped on a new UI, and removed the Google-specific services that they didn't want. It is still the Android framework, and it still runs Android apps. It's Android, even by Google's own definition. End of story.

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Apple sold 15 million iPads last quarter, and I see them everywhere I go. I have seen ZERO Android tablets "in the wild." So, if there are 2 of them for every 3 iPads, where are they? I'm calling BS on these numbers.

----------



This "Shipped" number is also not true. Didn't Apple say they had 4 to 6 weeks of channel inventory at the end of the quarter? If so, then the "shipped" number of iPads should be increased by that amount, if they've been shipped into the channel inventory. And yet... utter BS.

Heh, well, according to Apple many of the "iPads" that you see are actually Samsung Android tablets and you can't tell the difference. That's what their lawyers would have us believe anyway.

 

[roblin]

I own an iPad and used to think that 99% of all sold tablets were Apple but I have been seeing quite a few non Apple tablets recently. I played with them in the store and they seem sluggish, but I have seen many people reading on them at the airport, by the pool and out on the city and they seem to like them.

Apple are way ahead of competion right now. Custom made RISC CPUs, a complete mobile OS, supply of components, ecosystem, seen everywhere etc. It will be super hard for competitors to enter and/or overtake them.

 

[ablashek]

I think it is FAR more likely the selection and numbers of Android devices over 2010.

Oh, and an operating system for tables. Remember all those "oversize smartphone" comments IRT Android Tabs?

I bet a size by size comparison will show iPad is 80% in 10" size, while in the 7" class it is 0% (becuase Apple does not make 7"), but a weighted total splits to something to what you see.

Oh, and even if cheap tabs are crap, it is still cheaper!

good point, i didn´t think of that!

 

[kdarling]

I'm actually surprised Android is doing that well. I wonder if that's because Kindle Fire #s are included. I'm sure they are and that is why. I'm not saying they shouldn't be included.

I'm surprised that the debate went on so long without anyone visiting the source site to find out

So I did. Quote: "The definition of tablet does not include e-book readers."



-- re: Android tablet sales -------------

I found Verizon's 4Q earnings call to be interesting. In it, they made this comment:

"We sold almost 15 million Android-based products, and if you do the math for the quarter, it's about 10.8 million (iOS) products. So they're both extremely significant to our portfolio."

Subtracting the smartphones (*), and assuming everything else is a tablet, that would seem to indicate they sold 11.6 million Android tablets and 6.5 million iPads.

Something is funky there, since the chart only shows 10.5 million Android worldwide!

Perhaps the claim that the iPhone was 55% of Verizon's smartphone sales is not at all correct. It would make more sense if more of Verizon's smartphone sales were phones, and less were tablets. See below. Any ideas? What am I missing?

(*) Articles claim that Verizon sold 7.7 million smartphones, including 55% (4.3 million) being iPhone "activations". However, I cannot find that 7.7 figure. If it's correct, then that means only 3.4 million of those Android products were phones... the rest were tablets. Anybody have a definitive source for that 7.7 figure? Not a blog, please.

 

[aperry]

I'm surprised that the debate went on so long without anyone visiting the source site to find out

So I did. Quote: "The definition of tablet does not include e-book readers."

The debate is about the Kindle Fire, which is not an e-book reader.

 

[DeathChill]

-- re: Android tablet sales -------------

I found Verizon's 4Q earnings call to be interesting. In it, they made this comment:

"We sold almost 15 million Android-based products, and if you do the math for the quarter, it's about 10.8 million (iOS) products. So they're both extremely significant to our portfolio."

Subtracting the smartphones (*), and assuming everything else is a tablet, that would seem to indicate they sold 11.6 million Android tablets and 6.5 million iPads.

Something is funky there, since the chart only shows 10.5 million Android worldwide!

Perhaps the claim that the iPhone was 55% of Verizon's smartphone sales is not at all correct. It would make more sense if more of Verizon's smartphone sales were phones, and less were tablets. See below. Any ideas? What am I missing?

(*) Articles claim that Verizon sold 7.7 million smartphones, including 55% (4.3 million) being iPhone "activations". However, I cannot find that 7.7 figure. If it's correct, then that means only 3.4 million of those Android products were phones... the rest were tablets. Anybody have a definitive source for that 7.7 figure? Not a blog, please.

They actually said iPhone products, not iOS.

I'd have a hard time believing that all of these financial websites are running the numbers (including The New York Times) if they weren't correct. They point to Francis Shammo mentioning it, but it doesn't appear to be in the transcripts.

 

[kdarling]

They actually said iPhone products, not iOS.

Yep, it seemed an obvious tongue slip, and the reason why I put (iOS) in parenthesis.

I'd have a hard time believing that all of these financial websites are running the numbers (including The New York Times) if they weren't correct. They point to Francis Shammo mentioning it, but it doesn't appear to be in the transcripts.

I know. Weird, eh? I can't find a source anywhere.

Also a lot of articles keep repeating the 4.2 million iPhone number (instead of 4.3 million), the former apparently being some analyst's prediction or ?

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The debate is about the Kindle Fire, which is not an e-book reader.

Ah, thanks. For once, I didn't have time to read the entire thread.

Strategy Analytics also said:

"Dozens of Android models distributed across multiple countries by numerous brands such as Amazon, Samsung, Asus and others have been driving volumes."

So they seem to consider Amazon Android devices as tablets.

 

[DeathChill]

Yep, it seemed an obvious tongue slip, and the reason why I put (iOS) in parenthesis.



I know. Weird, eh? I can't find a source anywhere.

Also a lot of articles keep repeating the 4.2 million iPhone number (instead of 4.3 million), the former apparently being some analyst's prediction or ?

I believe 4.2 million was mentioned by Francis Shammo earlier in January (around the 4th) at a CitiGroup event, but apparently he was incorrect by .1!

Ah, thanks. For once, I didn't have time to read the entire thread.

Strategy Analytics also said:

"Dozens of Android models distributed across multiple countries by numerous brands such as Amazon, Samsung, Asus and others have been driving volumes."

So they seem to consider Amazon Android devices as tablets.

That's unfair for Amazon, I'd say. They're propping up Android's tablet numbers when they're really aiming to be their own platform.

 

[kdarling]

I believe 4.2 million was mentioned by Francis Shammo earlier in January (around the 4th) at a CitiGroup event, but apparently he was incorrect by .1!

I think you're right; I had just noticed that Fran had done something like that. He might've also mentioned the 7.7 million, but now I wonder if it's included in a Powerpoint Slide press handout that we haven't found yet.

If the 7.7 is true though, then something else isn't right. Is there another category of Android devices, besides smartphones and tablets, that VZ might've been referring to?

Regards.

 

[Nostromo]

Non-Apple tablet sale have surged incredibly.

The more competition, the better.

Keeps Apple on its toes.

 

[the8thark]

This is good but when is the iPad 3 coming out?

Only Apple knows this.
And no smart person expects a release date. Cause Apple only release to their own schedule.

 

[monkeybongo]

I think the best way to think about the Kindle Fire is like how automakers rebrand cars by a different manufacturer

Pontiac Vibe = Toyota Matrix
Saab 9-2 = Subrau Impreza

For the purposes of sales count, when a Vibe was sold it counted under Pontiac not as a Toyota. Same with tablet sales, it's a Kindle Fire and counts for Amazon. Once they get some significant market share where it's not just a blip, Amazon should have their own catagory for the Fire because they are going to be the number 2 tablet maker.

 

[BaldiMac]

I found Verizon's 4Q earnings call to be interesting. In it, they made this comment:

"We sold almost 15 million Android-based products, and if you do the math for the quarter, it's about 10.8 million (iOS) products. So they're both extremely significant to our portfolio."

Subtracting the smartphones (*), and assuming everything else is a tablet, that would seem to indicate they sold 11.6 million Android tablets and 6.5 million iPads.

Something is funky there, since the chart only shows 10.5 million Android worldwide!

Perhaps the claim that the iPhone was 55% of Verizon's smartphone sales is not at all correct. It would make more sense if more of Verizon's smartphone sales were phones, and less were tablets. See below. Any ideas? What am I missing?

(*) Articles claim that Verizon sold 7.7 million smartphones, including 55% (4.3 million) being iPhone "activations". However, I cannot find that 7.7 figure. If it's correct, then that means only 3.4 million of those Android products were phones... the rest were tablets. Anybody have a definitive source for that 7.7 figure? Not a blog, please.

I found this longer version of the quote:

"So if you look at our LTE lineup, we sold almost 15 million android-based products (NASDAQ:GOOG) and if you do the math for the quarter, it’s about 10.8 million iPhone products. So they’re both extremely significant to our portfolio."

It appears that he is talking about the number of LTE Android devices and the number of iPhones on Verizon total. Not just sold during the quarter.

 

[iEvolution]

That's unfair for Amazon, I'd say. They're propping up Android's tablet numbers when they're really aiming to be their own platform.

Its android none-the-less, customized or not. You can enable it to install other apps in the settings menu.

 

[iEvolution]

Non-Apple tablet sale have surged incredibly.

The more competition, the better.

Keeps Apple on its toes.

Yeah cause if there is no competition with Apple they'll sit on it.

Look at the iPod line for instance.

iPad 3 may be the calling for a "real" tablet for me, I love my Kindle Fire but am looking for something a little more full featured (even though you can root the fire into a full fledged android tablet) and larger.

 

[lilo777]

Apple sold 15 million iPads last quarter, and I see them everywhere I go. I have seen ZERO Android tablets "in the wild." So, if there are 2 of them for every 3 iPads, where are they? I'm calling BS on these numbers.

----------



This "Shipped" number is also not true. Didn't Apple say they had 4 to 6 weeks of channel inventory at the end of the quarter? If so, then the "shipped" number of iPads should be increased by that amount, if they've been shipped into the channel inventory. And yet... utter BS.

That's because many Apple fans buy iStuff as a "status item". They kind of have to show their "status" to others from time to time. In the mean time most Android tablets stay where they belong - at home. Besides, owners of Android tablets are more likely to also own Android phones which on average have much bigger screens than iPhone thus mostly eliminating the need to carry the tablet around.

 

[voonyx]

That's because many Apple fans buy iStuff as a "status item". They kind of have to show their "status" to others from time to time. In the mean time most Android tablets stay where they belong - at home. Besides, owners of Android tablets are more likely to also own Android phones which on average have much bigger screens than iPhone thus mostly eliminating the need to carry the tablet around.

I'm glad there are people like you who have done scientific research on "many" apple fans to provide such indisputable evidence.

 

[twoodcc]

i say they are counting androids on the shelf. either way, the iPad 3 should be good for Apple if the rumors are true

 

[Nostromo]

Yeah cause if there is no competition with Apple they'll sit on it.

Look at the iPod line for instance.

iPad 3 may be the calling for a "real" tablet for me, I love my Kindle Fire but am looking for something a little more full featured (even though you can root the fire into a full fledged android tablet) and larger.

I'm also curious what Apple will turn out with the rising competition.

Connectivity will be one thing: I think iPad users deserve an USB connection.

The iPad is being used by many photographers as a digital portfolio (also for their motion work).

And it needs more storage. Flash storage has gotten cheap. There's no reason to offer just 16Gb storage on the entry level model. 64Gb should be standard.

 

[iEvolution]

I'm also curious what Apple will turn out with the rising competition.

Connectivity will be one thing: I think iPad users deserve an USB connection.

The iPad is being used by many photographers as a digital portfolio (also for their motion work).

And it needs more storage. Flash storage has gotten cheap. There's no reason to offer just 16Gb storage on the entry level model. 64Gb should be standard.

I think 32GB should be the lowest and they should have 128GB models, I really don't like these cloud ideas that companies are trying to push to avoid updating hardware.

It seems since cloud introduction capacity updates are at a stand still. I don't like the idea of having my data on some company's system, for one I can't access it any time I want because you can't get connection everywhere, two it is slow, three its not private, and four there is fees involved to keep it alive.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I'm glad there are people like you who have done scientific research on "many" apple fans to provide such indisputable evidence.

Not much different than making generalizations about Android users, is it?

 

[Burger Thing]

That's because many Apple fans buy iStuff as a "status item". They kind of have to show their "status" to others from time to time. In the mean time most Android tablets stay where they belong - at home.

Good Lord, as someone who is using iOS and Android devices, I almost feel ashamed over some of the remarks here.

Probably the dumbest post ever.

I kind of expect to find enthusiasts and therefore a positive attitude towards iOS and MAC here. Nothing wrong with it, this is a forum about related stuff after all. What cracks me up, though, is that people come here to unload their negativity (personal issues perhaps, because it seems there must be more to it than a negative feeling towards a tech company) in their questionable quest to force their rightiousness anti-apple fanboy attitude upon the rest of us.

This is really getting tiring. And just to be clear: I am not talking about posters here, who offer facts and balanced viewpoints (and are getting sometimes wrongly targeted as haters, etc) but those, who constantly TROLL this forum.

It makes reading about technical stuff, may it be about Apple, may it be about other companies, far less enjoyable.