IDC: Global tablet shipments fell 12.6% in Q3

The worldwide tablet market recorded lower shipments for the fourth straight quarter with 48.7 million units shipped in the third quarter of 2015, according to preliminary data from IDC. Despite signs of a slight seasonal improvement, shipments were down 12.6 per cent year on year, further highlighting the challenges the tablet market is facing. iPad manufacturer Apple still holds the top position in the worldwide tablet market, but is facing growing competition from other vendors and saw shipments drop 19.7 per cent to 9.9 million in the third quarter. Samsung is closing the gap with Apple thanks to its strong marketing push, and is followed by Lenovo, Asus and Huawei. Lenovo was the only vendor in the top three to register growth, with a small rise of 0.9 per cent. However, Huawei achieved strong growth of 147.9 per cent, albeit only to 1.8 million shipments. IDC noted that the China-based vendor has found a niche: cellular-enabled tablets. Report