When it comes to talking about the evolution of the tablet market, we find a multitude of indicators that can tell us what the direction of the format is and what the trends may be in the short and medium term. On the one hand, there are the financial results of the big brands, presented on a quarterly basis in most cases. On the other, the number of units sold on a global scale which, despite including data from the main manufacturers, seeks to offer a broader result and which also includes comparisons with those of previous years.
As we remember every time they all come out, currently, in the case of larger platforms, we are facing a complicated situation characterized by saturation. An oversupply is associated with a general decline in the number of devices sold. A few hours ago the data regarding the third trimester of the year and once again, falls are the dominant note in a context in which the need for a deep renovation that can once again provide the tablets of the attractiveness that they enjoyed during the first years of appearance of this support. In the following lines, we will give you the most recent data and we will try to see again what will be the roadmap that manufacturers will follow in the future.
The data
Taking as a reference the figures provided by the consulting firm IDC, during the last months 43 million tablets. Bill descent compared to the same period in 2015 is almost 7 million Of units. With this new decrease, 8 quarters have been chained, or what is the same, 2 consecutive years in which the number of devices sold has continued to slow down. Various analysts consider that it is the worst seasonal data since 2011 and is far from the record set in 2014, when between July and October the 56 million units sold were exceeded.
The responsible
One of the IDC researchers, Jitesh Urbani, assures that currently, one of the factors that has led to the current situation has been the low cost tablets. According to the analyst, in recent years we have found a oversupply in this segment, which in many cases has also generated frustrating user experiences for users who have acquired this type of model, and which have been characterized by their instability, and due to poor quality in both finishes and specifications. On the other hand, he assures that the race for leadership in which most of the companies have taken positions, has generated a complex situation in which the demand was far from a number of launches that did not stop increasing and that did not stop. it corresponded to the real needs of consumers.
Laptops are back on track
Despite the fact that in this format, there has also been a drop in the number of units sold, the truth is that the computers They seem to once again capture the interest of consumers due to the advances that we are finding in terms of performance, graphics and above all, autonomy. On the other hand, we must not ignore convertible formats, which have become transitional platforms that, as we have mentioned on other occasions, seem to be the future of both the former and traditional tablets.
Winners, losers and nuances
As is usual, there are winners and losers in this war of numbers, although in general terms, declines are something that almost all manufacturers suffer. Roughly, Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), tops the ranking with 9,3 million tablets sold. However, they are 600.000 less than in the same period in 2015. Samsung it follows in second position with 6.5 million. If there is any firm that has managed to resist, in part, it has been Amazon.
The e-commerce portal, with 3,1 million devices sold in the last three months, has been a surprise. However, there are aspects to take into account, such as the fact that your market share is still very small and that its increase has been more pronounced due to its arrival in the sector more recently than other manufacturers since it was starting from scratch when it came to marketing its Fire series models.
The future
Once again, it is risky to make predictions about the behavior of the market in the coming years. Although on other occasions we have told you that the 2 in 1 could be the oxygen balloon in the coming years, the last word will be for consumers, who, on the one hand, have found in their smartphones the ideal tool for your day to day, and at the same time, you already have tablets Cuya useful life has increased and that make the acquisition of new devices unnecessary.
As you have seen, the sector is still going through a complicated situation that is perpetuated over time. Do you think this situation can be extended to other platforms? Do you think that the current circumstances are the result of years with an offer that sought to satisfy an unreal demand? What strategies would you use to relaunch the tablet market? You have more related information available, such as the tactics followed by some manufacturers like Microsoft, so you can give your opinion.