Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: Four Important Books You Need to Read (Not Just Say You Have)
The Marketing Minute: Cracking the Code of Technical Marketing
Tablet Installed Base to Fall in 2016 as a Result of Declining Shipments
September 25, 2015 | ABI ResearchEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The global installed base of tablets will become the next unexpected victim as shipments of larger slate devices continue their decline. Early tablet sales in 2010 and 2011 enjoyed several good years of consumer usage with both iOS and Android devices actively used for three to four years. New market intelligence data from ABI Research predicts the installed base of tablets will decrease for the first time in 2016 as growth from first-time buyers shifts to replacement purchases.
“The global installed base of branded tablets will peak around 373 million units at the close of 2015,” says Research Director Jeff Orr. “Led by North America at 48% of the installed base, the operating system mix is expected to be more balanced with 50% powered by Android, while 42% will use iOS."
With a slowdown in first-time tablet purchases, there are several reasons for change in the tablet installed base figures:
- Replacing tablets with tablets: The experiences with first-generation tablets greatly influence what audiences will purchase the second time around.Unique apps and content, usability, and durability all play a role in the decision-making process.
- Replacing tablets with phablets: A converged solution that marries the best of the smartphone (mobility and cellular voice service) with the larger display of a tablet.Phablets are an increasing percentage of smartphone shipments and are a mobile alternative to replacing a tablet.
- Replacing tablets with 2-in-1 ultraportable PCs: For small business owners looking to maintain the productivity of a PC with the mobility of a tablet, choices for 2-in-1 systems are increasing and now available with Windows 10 OS.
- No replacement purchase: Not all tablets will be replaced. Some get handed down or resold while others stop working or go unused in favor of performing activities on some other device.
“The change is an opportunity for both incumbent tablet vendors as well as challenger brands and form-factors,” adds Orr.
The Tablet and eReader market data is part of ABI Research’s Media Tablets, Ultrabooks & eReaders Research Service, which includes comprehensive Research Reports, quarterly Market Data files, and timely Insights.
About ABI Research
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Our marketing partnership with I-Connect007 is already delivering. Just a day after our press release went live, we received a direct inquiry about our updated products!"
Rachael Temple - AlltematedSuggested Items
LPKF Strengthens Structural Resilience: 'North Star' Initiative Aims to Secure Long-term Profitability
09/16/2025 | LPKFLPKF Laser & Electronics SE has launched the "North Star" initiative, a far-reaching package of measures designed to strengthen the company's long-term profitability.
The Marketing Minute: Cracking the Code of Technical Marketing
09/17/2025 | Brittany Martin -- Column: The Marketing MinuteMarketing is never a one-size-fits-all endeavor, but the challenges are magnified for highly technical industries like electronics. Products and processes are complex, audiences are diverse, and the stakes are high, especially when your customers are engineers, decision-makers, and global partners who depend on your expertise.
Beyond the Board: What Companies Need to Know Before Entering the MilAero PCB Market
09/16/2025 | Jesse Vaughan -- Column: Beyond the BoardThe MilAero electronics supply chain offers opportunities for manufacturers that are both prestigious and strategically important. Serving prime contractors and Tier-1 suppliers can mean long-term program stability and the satisfaction of contributing to national security. At the same time, this sector is unlike commercial electronics in almost every respect. Success requires more than technical capabilities, it requires patience, preparation, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of how the business model differs.
Global Interposer Market to Surge Nearly Fivefold by 2034
09/15/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamRevenue for the global interposer market is projected to climb from $471 million in 2025 to more than $2.3 billion by 2034, according to a new report from Business Research Insights. The growth represents a CAGR of nearly 20 percent over the forecast period.
Indium Promotes Huang to Senior Manager, Marketing Communications
08/28/2025 | Indium CorporationWith its commitment to innovation and growth through employee development, Indium Corporation announces the promotion of Jingya Huang to Senior Manager, Marketing Communications, to continue to lead the company’s branding and promotional efforts.