Apple is reported to have dominated the tablet shipment market with 50% of the market share during the first quarter of 2013, but according to ABI Research, Android tablets poised to overtake iOS in coming days.
According to the report, the company has been able to maintain its lead by offering a quality experience at an optimum price so far which is expected to change.
ABI Research senior practise director Jeff Orr said that it’s inevitable that Android tablets will overtake iOS-powered slates, though no single vendor is seen challenging Apple’s dominance anytime soon.
"With media tablets commercially available for more than 4 years, momentum is shifting toward value and affordability, putting tablets in more of the population’s reach," Orr said.
ABI Research expects that the iPad mini represented 49% of units and 39% of total iPad revenues, while the iPad mini is also expected to become the predominant iPad model after the June quarter.
The report revealed that the average selling price (ASP) and size have been moving down-market after the Android based tablets started sales in 2012.
The manufacturing limits affected the iPad manufacturer in its first quarter, while the 7.9-inch iPad mini affected the larger iPad sales and Apple profits, the report said.
During the first quarter of 2013, Apple had recorded second-best ever quarter for total iPad shipments.
