The tablet shipments in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) rose 208% during the second quarter of 2013, to 2.79 million units, surpassing the region’s portable PC shipments for the first time, according to a new report.
IDC’s latest report revealed that Google’s Android operating system remained the major contributor to the growth, with about two million devices shipped during, while the Windows OS witnessed slow growth during the quarter.
IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey personal computing, systems, and infrastructure solutions Victoria Mendes said that the launch of the iPad mini could not prevent iOS from rapidly losing share to Android devices, with cost being a key factor in consumers’ choice of tablets.
"However, Apple’s new product launch, which is expected before the end of this year, will definitely spur some growth for the vendor in the region," Mendes said.
Apple’s overall shipments reached 682,000 units followed Samsung (627,000), Lenovo (140,000), Asus (107,000) and Acer.
IDC Middle East, Africa, and Turkey personal computing, systems, and infrastructure solutions research manager Fouad Charakla said that the growing cannibalisation of PC demand by tablets has caused several multinational PC vendors to divert a larger proportion of their overall focus onto their tablet ranges.
"This development has enhanced the growth momentum of tablets in the region," Charakla said.
However, the research firm anticipates that the corporate segment would report steady growth all through the forecast period, reporting a slight rise in 2014 due to Turkey’s Fatih project.
"The tablet market will continue to be driven by low-cost tablets, be they from the newer Far-Eastern entrants or even from the more established multinational brands," Mendes added.
"The main focus of every vendor now is to secure its position in the market by grabbing the biggest share possible from the two tablet giants of Apple and Samsung."
