Apple iPad dominates global tablet market with 42% share

Apple iPad

You probably cannot think about tablets without mentioning the Apple iPads. They are more than just entertainment tools now. They can be utilised for both work and play. Apart from that, the iPads are smooth, fast and reliable and these are reasons enough for people to buy them.

Whether for work, school, or entertainment, Apple’s iPads continue to rule the global smartphone market. Meanwhile, Android tablets are still struggling to catch up. In the last quarter of 2024, Apple shipped 16.9 million iPads—a 14% jump from the year before. For the entire year, iPad sales grew by 5.3%. The new iPad Mini and iPad Air played a big role in this success.

Tablets are back in demand

After years of decline, tablets are making a comeback, as per a Canalys report. The tablet market grew by 5.6% in the last quarter and 9.2% for the year. In total, 147.6 million tablets were sold in 2024. Most regions saw growth, but North America lagged behind.

Why this sudden rise? Businesses are upgrading their devices. The Canalys report revealed that over half of tablet sellers expect even higher sales in 2025. Companies are now spending more on tech after years of budget cuts. However, consumer demand might slow down in some areas.

Chinese brands are closing in

Apple is still the best selling brand when it comes to tablets, but Chinese brands are catching up. Xiaomi had a massive year, with a 73% sales jump, the Pad 6 and other series can be credited for that. It even overtook Amazon to claim the fifth spot globally. Huawei also saw strong growth, rising by 29% to take third place. Lenovo came fourth, selling 10 million tablets, up 12% from 2023.

Samsung, in second place, sold 7.1 million tablets, growing by 3.9%. But Apple remains far ahead of the competition.

Chinese brands are also expanding fast. HONOR is gaining ground in Indonesia and offering discounts in the UK. Xiaomi plans to open 20,000 stores in China by 2025. Apple, meanwhile, is betting big on India, one of the fastest-growing markets for tablets and smartphones.