If you don't already have a regular old tablet ... it seems you probably don't want one.
Worldwide tablet shipments fell almost 15 percent in the first quarter, data company IDC said Thursday, blaming "[f]irst quarter seasonality combined with an overall disinterested customer base."
The decline came from what IDC calls "slate tablets" like a traditional Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle Fire.
"(The) slate tablet segment has become synonymous with the low-end of the market," the firm said.
| Vendor | 1Q16 Unit Shipments | 1Q16 Market Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Apple | 10.3 | 25.90% |
| 2. Samsung | 6 | 15.20% |
| 3. Amazon.com | 2.2 | 5.70% |
| 4. Lenovo | 2.2 | 5.50% |
| 5. Huawei | 2.1 | 5.20% |
| Others | 16.9 | 42.60% |
| Total | 39.6 | 100.00% |
On the other hand, "detachables" (tablets that come off a keyboard base like the Microsoft Surface) posted triple-digit growth. Consumers likely see detachables as an alternative for older PCs that need replacing, the report suggested.
IDC also had a particularly tough assessment of market leader Apple, which still accounts for more than a quarter of all new tablet sales.
"Apple's dominance in the overall market is unsurprising. iPad's future will be largely relegated to replacements — of older iPads or PCs — rather than net new additions," IDC said.
IDC's view of Apple's future stands at odds with CEO Tim Cook, who said Tuesday the company expects its best iPad revenue comparison in more than two years this quarter.