New Delhi: Google's Android platform dominating the tablet market in early 2014, a research firm said Monday. Strategy Analytics said Android grabbed 65.8 percent of global tablet sales in the first quarter, up from 53 percent a year ago.
However, according to latest figures from Strategy Analytics, Apple witnessed a slump in its iPad sales and its market share tumbled to 28.4 per cent from 40.3 per cent a year earlier.
Global tablet sales in the quarter were up 19 per cent at 57.6 million units, the market research firm said. Breaking those numbers down, Android secured 65.8 per cent global share, iOS grabbed 28.4 per cent, and Windows secured 5.8 per cent.
"Android continues to make steady progress and now commands two-thirds of the tablet market share," said Peter King, analyst at Strategy Analytics.
While Apple ignited the tablet market with its first iPads, it has now lost its dominance to Android in the same manner as the iPhone has seen its share eroded in the smartphone market.
The report said iPad sales were down 16 per cent from the same period a year ago.
"We believe that the disappointing performance in the early part of the calendar year is because Apple has changed its product release cycle to the holiday timeframe," King said.
He added that Apple "will likely lose share over the next several months to refreshed Android products, but we believe Apple will win back meaningful high-end market share during the final months of the calendar year."
The survey also found a steady market share for tablets using Microsoft Windows.
Windows tablet sales rose to 3.4 million from 2.8 million a year earlier, keeping a steady market share of 5.8 per cent, according to Strategy Analytics.
(With Agency inputs)
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