Apple still tops Android in tablets

Apple remained top dog in tablet shipments by operating system in 4Q11, despite strong growth in sales of devices running rival Google’s Android software, figures from Strategy Analytics show.
 
The research firm notes Android was the OS of choice in 39% of the 26.8 million tablets shipped during the quarter, a record for the Google software and an increase from the 29% share it achieved in 4Q10. However Apple maintained its dominance of the sector, garnering a 58% share of units shipped in 4Q11.
 
Apple sold 15.4 million iPads during the quarter compared to 10.5 million Android devices. Shipments of tablets running Microsoft software hit 400,000.
 
“Global tablet shipments reached an all-time high of 26.8 million units in Q4 2011, surging 150% from 10.7 million in Q4 2010,” Strategy Analytics’ director Peter King says, adding. “Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong.”
 
The final quarter capped a strong year for tablet sales, which Strategy Analytics believes hit 66.9 million units compared to 18.6 million in 2010. Tablets are cannibalizing sales of netbooks and are even encroaching on low-end laptop and desktop PC sales.