Apple’s iPad and smaller 7.x-inch models from various brands will boost shipment of the tablet display by 56% by the end of 2012, according to a report from the IHS iSuppli Small and Medium Displays.
Shipments of tablet displays are expected to reach 126.6 million units in 2012, compared to 82.1 million units last year.
About 74.3 million units of tablet panel shipments will come from the 9.x-inch segment.
The 9.x-inch tablet panel sector’s growth is anticipated to increase 35% from 55.2 million units in 2011.
The report claims that the 7.x-inch segment will be the second-largest size segment for tablet displays in 2012.
Currently, the 7.x-inch segment features models that include the Galaxy Tab from Samsung Electronics, the Kindle Fire from Amazon, the Nook Tablet from Barnes & Noble, and other tablet products using the Google Android operating system.
Shipments of the 7.x-inch tablet display will amount to 41.1 million units in 2012, nearly double from 20.8 million units last year.
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In 2012, the 7.x-inch category will control 32% of the tablet display space, compared to 26% in 2011, with the 9.x-inch sector giving up some portion of its market in the process this year.
The 9.x-inch segment will continue to lead the tablet panel space in 2012 and the 7.x-inch category will be supported by the launch of lower-priced tablets in that size segment.
The remaining tablet display market in 2012 will split between the 8.x-inch, with about 9% share and the 5.x-inch, with less than 1% share.
Shipments for tablet displays were down by 20% in the first quarter due to seasonal trends.
Tablet panel shipments however grew in the second quarter which was due to companies wanting to clear their inventories and panel orders coming in for the new tablet launches planned for the second half of the year.
Total tablet panel shipments in the second quarter reached 27 million units, up nearly 30% from 21 million units in the first quarter.
LG Display accounted for 42% of shipment market share in the first quarter while Samsung Display accounted for 38% of market share.
In an earlier report by International Data Corporation (IDC) said Worldwide tablet shipment rose 33.6% during the second quarter of 2012 over the corresponding quarter in 2011, triggered by strong Apple iPad shipment.
In a similar report, Gartner said Worldwide IT spending is due to pass $3.6 trillion in 2012, a 3% increase on last year with help of tablets and other new internet connected consumer technologies.
