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Apple’s strategic decision to update its entry-level iPad last year with a sleek all-screen design has proven to be a resounding success. Recent market intelligence data indicates that the tech giant experienced substantial growth in iPad shipments during the first quarter of this year.
Canalys, a leading market research firm, estimates that iPad sales surged by 20.5% year-on-year, resulting in nearly one million additional iPads in the hands of US consumers. Consequently, Apple’s share of the tablet market skyrocketed from 38.6% to an impressive 50%.
Apple’s market share in the tablet arena would have been even higher were it not for the inclusion of Amazon’s Fire tablets in the same category. However, many argue that the majority of Fire tablets, which are priced below $100, should be classified as e-book readers or devices intended for children. Nevertheless, Apple’s achievement in capturing half of the US tablet market remains remarkable.
Although Canalys does not provide specific model breakdowns, it is highly likely that the launch of the completely revamped 10th-generation iPad in the previous quarter significantly contributed to this growth. Introduced in mid-October, the new entry-level iPad boasts a more modern design, aligning it closely with the premium models in Apple’s iPad lineup. Priced at $449, a $120 increase from its predecessor, the device offers users a range of exciting features. It sports a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display without a Home button, integrating Touch ID into the Power button.
Furthermore, the traditional Lightning connector has been replaced by the versatile USB-C, signifying Apple’s shift away from Lightning across the iPad range. The 10th-gen iPad also supports 5G connectivity and is compatible with the new Magic Keyboard Folio, designed specifically for this model. With options available in 64GB and 256GB configurations, as well as Wi-Fi and Cellular versions, the iPad 10 starts at a competitive $449 in the US.
Opinions on the new iPad’s performance were varied, with some suggesting that splurging on the $599 iPad Air may be worthwhile. However, others viewed this redesign as the most significant update since the introduction of the iPad Air in 2013. Interestingly, some reviewers even posited that, for certain users, the combination of the 10th-gen iPad and the Magic Keyboard Folio might be a better investment than a MacBook Air.
Coinciding with the release of the 10th-gen iPad, Apple also unveiled a new M2-powered iPad Pro. However, this update was relatively minor, with its most notable feature being support for Apple Pencil “hover.” Despite its incremental nature, the iPad Pro refresh undoubtedly contributed to Apple’s overall success in the tablet market.
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While Apple celebrated its thriving iPad business, the broader PC market faced challenges during the same period. Canalys reported a significant 28% year-on-year decline in PC shipments in Q1. Explaining this downturn, Ishan Dutt, Principal Analyst at Canalys, highlighted various factors, including seasonal drop-offs after the holidays and businesses prolonging the lifecycle of existing PCs due to economic pressures. Macs experienced an even steeper decline of 35.8%, attributed in part to the “difficult compare” resulting from the rollout of Apple Silicon Macs.
Apple’s decision to revamp its entry-level iPad with an all-screen design has proven to be a winning move, propelling the company to new heights in the US tablet market. With the 10th-gen iPad capturing consumer interest with its modern features and improved functionality, Apple’s share of the market soared to an impressive 50%. As the PC market experiences a slump, Apple’s iPad lineup continues to outshine the competition, solidifying its reputation as a leader in innovation and design.