iPad Market Share Falls Below 25% as Tablet Market Continues to Decline

[spatlese44]

Yeah.
These are the $40 RCA tablets and the like, sold at Walmart.
If a kid breaks one, mom & dad throw it in the garbage and buy another. They are dirt cheap garbage, & thus sell more.

Thanks for responding. Maybe the problem is I don't shop at Walmart. I just found the numbers a little odd as there would have to be something like 25 different manufactures to make something close to a normal distribution. It made me question the validity of the data.

 

[prowlmedia]

Both I and my wife been using Android without issues for 2/3 years and prefer it to iOS in every way.

Don't believe everything you hear or read (even this, I guess).

There are viable alternatives to Apple stuff out there (aside from OS X--there's no substitute yet for that in my opinion).

I don't. I have 6 tablets as I am making a game at the moment. 2 iPads - 3 and a mini, Fire HD7, Nexus 7, Galaxy 10 and a tesco Hudl.

I am well aware of what they can and can't do. The point it that the iPad is overall more reliable 'because' of the walled garden and less fragmentation.

 

[bladerunner2000]

apple, you guys are morons. Instead of focusing too much on iOS devices..how about you guys focus on the basic foundation: computers. Go make more mac pros and other desktops..and not rMBP.

Apple doesn't respect prosumers.

 

[Wahlstrm]

I have the iPad2. Until iOS8 it was quite decent. It´s slow now. BUT, "Safari feels snappier" is not worth the minimum $800 upgrade to get basically the same product again. The multitask function in iOS9 is basically the first significant productivity upgrade to the iPad since the the release of the iPad2.

The thing I miss the most is multiple user accounts.

I can't be the only one who think this should be an obvious feature for a "pc-replacement" device?

 

[QCassidy352]

The difference to me is people upgrade their phones and laptops because they need too, its their primary devices, the iPad is more of a secondary device, a nice to have but not critical to get one's tasks done.

Perfectly said. I like my iPad a lot and use it most days, but it's clearly the one I'd give up first, as among my Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

 

[cdm283813]

It's time to put full blown OS X on the iPad. Otherwise it's the same rinse and repeat cycle. Also make it affordable so that your market share will increase and take some away from Microsoft. Don't price it so high you alienate regular consumers.
If that doesn't happen the iPad will end up like the iPod touch. At least do this for the larger pro model and keep the entry price at $600.

 

[cdm283813]

I have the iPad2. Until iOS8 it was quite decent. It´s slow now. BUT, "Safari feels snappier" is not worth the minimum $800 upgrade to get basically the same product again. The multitask function in iOS9 is basically the first significant productivity upgrade to the iPad since the the release of the iPad2.

The thing I miss the most is multiple user accounts.

I can't be the only one who think this should be an obvious feature for a "pc-replacement" device?

There is a reason why your iPad 2 is slow. It came out back in March 2011; over 4 years ago.

 

[prowlmedia]

Cool, but you're exaggerating.

http://bgr.com/2015/04/15/ios-vs-android-developers-revenue-apps/
http://uk.businessinsider.com/android-piracy-problem-2015-1

Only today 50 Malware filled apps removed from play
http://www.proactivepatrol.com/blog/50-android-apps-infected-rootkit-malware/

I think I am understating it. The issue is of course many people won't even know or think about it. Because who the hell would think they would get a virus on their phone!

 

[MrGuder]

What's funny is when Apple announces the new iPads at conference they will say iPads are still #1 consumer bought product and our iPads are selling in huge #s and we predict that to top last yrs. ha so are they really declining? Or just not apples? Lol

 

[kwikdeth]

I suggest that Apple does not release a new iPad Air this year. That should help...

This. The iPad has been out barely over 5 years and we've had 6 models of full size iPads, and three models of mini? Do they not understand what over-saturation and consumer weariness is?

 

[Edgar Spayce]

You can tell their sales is a mess when you see 5 iPads released in so little time, so similar (the same ugly colors), and still being sold at the same time.

I've owned many Macs, many iPods, many iPhones and although I've been tempted I've NEVER owned any iPad, and so do a vast majority of Apple consumer.

Why? Because Steve Jobs initial intuition was right: there's no point in a tablet that's just a glorified portable screen, or a blown-up iPod.

How's that for a "Post-PC" era?

 

[maflynn]

Do they not understand what over-saturation and consumer weariness is?

Good point, they've flooded the market trying to improve sales - it didn't quite work out that way.

 

[Edgar Spayce]

The problem is that these are not the tablet we were promised by science-fiction: they were supposed to replace sheets of paper, books, drawing boards etc...

Tablet do none of that: you can't read properly for hours (not an e-ink screen), you can't write, you can't draw properly, you can't make accurate mock-up etc....it doesn't fullfill the "tablet" promises and is just a glorified portable screen or blown-up iPod.

 

[JackANSI]

You can tell their sales is a mess when you see 5 iPads released in so little time, so similar (the same ugly colors), and still being sold at the same time.

I've owned many Macs, many iPods, many iPhones and although I've been tempted I've NEVER owned any iPad, and so do a vast majority of Apple consumer.

Why? Because Steve Jobs initial intuition was right: there's no point in a tablet that's just a glorified portable screen, or a blown-up iPod.

How's that for a "Post-PC" era?

Agreed.

I think Apple did that to cover the different price points they thought people wanted... Not that it matters with iPad as its more expensive than some touchscreen PC laptops...

 

[iolinux333]

I'm telling Ya, if Apple wants to revitalize this market....all they have to do is rebrand the iPod touch as an iPad nano, offer it in 4.7 and 5.5" sizes and add cellular data just like an iPad. Boom. There it is. Sales would sore. Problem solved. Thank you Apple.

They need to stop deleting the GPS/Cell radio and put the mic in the right place too. That would be the coolest iPad nano ever because it could make phone calls also.

 

[SSDGUY]

I stopped using my iPad when I got my iPhone 6 Plus. My guess is that's the direction personal computing will head. Your phone will be the hub. It'll act as a mobile device when on the go, but when you get home, it'll wirelessly connect to some sort of Cinema Display.

Yup. Just connect wirelessly to a qwerty keyboard and maybe a trackpad while at home, and you're good to go.

 

[Soccertess]

I don't think releasing an iPad-speed bump will increase marketshare a lot.
The iPad Air 2 is IMHO the best update to date, but that didn't really help improve marketshare.

It's time for a "different" iPad... something more than just a blown-up iPod Touch.

BANG ON! I'm surprised Apple hasn't clued in. Personally Ipad's don't have the business utility that I need, but I think Microsoft Surface 3 is a great tool. We keep hearing rumours of an integrated keyboard/cover for the ipad similar to microsoft, which would be fantastic for word processing.

When I look at how versatile my Macbook air is compared to my ipad, I just don't see the need to pick the tablet up.

 

[cdm283813]

According to whom? none of these vendor report units shipped or much less sold - only Apple reports audited numbers every quarter. Also are we comparing 50 dollar tables with real tables like the iPad?

Also there was report (can't recall right now) in which a senior guy at the NPD group said these numbers are bunkers - basically they use the other category to pad their numbers to their subscribers liking.

Edit
here is the article
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14...-worried-about-ipads-idc-tablet-market-share-

Apple use to have over 90% of the market after the iPad 1 was released. The tablet back in those days were the hottest electronic gadgets to own. Today I won't be upgrading my iPad Air 2 for another 2 maybe 3 years because Apple keeps them up to date. And if I was to buy a phablet again (came from a Note 4 to a S6) why even bother with a tablet?
I believe that the iPhone Plus stole market share from the iPad's. More people would have been impressed if apple just released a 4.7" 1080p model with OIS and bigger battery instead of having 2 models today.

 

[Marx55]

Except for the fact that Powerpoint on Windows has the market share by far, and there are plenty of tablets for that.

You did not get it. People who use Macs and do presentations would love a Mac tablet. There is PowerPoint for Mac which is compatible with PowerPoint for Windows. Yet, Mac and iOS are NOT compatible. Get the facts.

 

[ProjectManager101]

I had two iPads for a projects and they were really bad when performing, I gave one to my mom and I have the other one collecting dust. Tried to use it in my bed but nothing compares to a mac book. But kids loves iPads and may be because it can accomplish basic tasks. It is like roller blades in the 90's, huge hit until market was flooded and that was it.

 

[FrozenInferno]

I'm not really surprised by this. Tablets are more of a long term buy, as in buy one and it will last you for years unless you need to be at the cutting edge for whatever reason and upgrade to each new model.

I still run a first generation iPad mini with no reason to upgrade. All I need from a tablet is a browser, a few time killing games, and the handful of apps that I prefer to run on the larger iPad screen. The only thing I wish it had was a retina screen.

While I can justify upgrading my phone every couple of years the same isn't true for my iPad, especially at Apple's prices, and I'm sure the average person is in the same boat. Without the support from a large "upgrade every year" crowd of course sales will take a hit.

 

[Tycho24]

Thanks for responding. Maybe the problem is I don't shop at Walmart. I just found the numbers a little odd as there would have to be something like 25 different manufactures to make something close to a normal distribution. It made me question the validity of the data.

Haha...
I've NEVER perused the crap tablets at Walmart either, but the cellphone repair shop I work at sees them regularly! Cracked screens aren't worth us fixing, because they are such low cost pieces of garbage. iPad would be in NO danger if these tablets made up 90% of the market, & they got the other 10%.
I assure you, NOBODY is having a joyful experience with these Koby tablets, and the like... there's no brand loyalty... nothing.

 

[prowlmedia]

You can tell their sales is a mess when you see 5 iPads released in so little time, so similar (the same ugly colors), and still being sold at the same time.

I've owned many Macs, many iPods, many iPhones and although I've been tempted I've NEVER owned any iPad, and so do a vast majority of Apple consumer.

Why? Because Steve Jobs initial intuition was right: there's no point in a tablet that's just a glorified portable screen, or a blown-up iPod.

How's that for a "Post-PC" era?

Righto... if you say so... Let's just ignore the 225,000,000 - yes 225 MILLION! iPads sold in 2009-2014 + the 40 odd million in 2015 so far.

http://www.statista.com/statistics/253725/iphone-ipad-and-ipod-sales-comparison/

Oh and thats more iPads sold in 5 years than Mac computers in 32 year...

Partly based on these figure and the updated since 2012.
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12...s_devices_in_2011_than_total_macs_in_28_years

However I do think the Air 2 / Air and mini 3 / 2 price points are too close to make that much difference. Why wouldn't you just get the newer one!?

 

[MacAddict1978]

I think we're coming to see that tablets are a lot like PCs in regards to how often they will be upgraded by users. They had the large initial boom of sales to get them into the market, now people are just keeping what they have since it's good enough. The iPad 2 still gets the job done for most people and most businesses who purchase them in bulk are also still using iPad 2s. No reason to get a newer model.

In fact I think tablets will be upgraded even less often than PCs going forward as they are the least essential device between computers, smartphones, and tablets.

I agree. Sort of. Android tablets are starting to push more towards offering a move PC like experience, making upgrades a bit more compelling.... Windows Tablet/pc hybrids have really caught on (The Surface Pro 3 is really a great piece of hardware, but pushing twice the price of a tablet) Whoever strikes the balance between those two in price and productivity will hit a home run. But until the usual fare of tablets does more and compells more frequent upgrades, why bother?

I always thought Apple would be the leader of the pack with this stuff, not the farthest behind. An iPad Pro needs to be more than a bigger screen and more under the hood oompf. It needs to be Apple's answer to the surface.

 

[thelookingglass]

Those counting out the tablet are just being foolish. The issue with current day tablets is not the form factor - it's the software. Look at how well Microsoft Surface has done - and that's with a subpar implementation of a tablet interface. Imagine if we could run Mac apps on an iPad form factor. I'm guessing you'd see a lot more iPad sales. Now whether or not they'd be upgraded as often as iPhones is a different story. I think tablets will always be on a different upgrade track. But the recent stagnation in tablet sales is in my opinion a direct result of limited functionality, not because the form factor itself is inferior.