The Google vs Apple battle continues to evolve as Android overtakes iOS as the leading revenue generator of the tablet market for the first time.
With Apple having dominated the tablet scene since the first iPad was launched back in 2010, the Cupertino-based company has now seen its market share drop below the collective Android movement backed by rival manufacturers such as Samsung, Asus and Lenovo.
While Apple’s share of all tablet revenues for the third quarter of 2013 dropped to a still considerable 45.6 per cent, the Android platform’s share increased to a dominant 46.2 per cent.
Although Apple is sure to be disappointed at losing tablet revenues to Android utilising rivals, the Android operating system’s market share is a figure attributed to dozens of individual companies, further highlighting Apple’s single share of the overall tablet sector.
“For the first time Android devices accounted for a greater share of the market in revenue terms than iOS,” Katy Huberty, an analyst with research firm Morgan Stanley said of the IDC data findings.
She added: “Android revenue share reached 46.2 per cent in 3Q13, for the first time exceeding iPad share of 45.6 per cent.”
Looking at the overall tablet scene, Huberty stated: “Android’s unit share grew to 66.7 per cent from 58.5 per cent a year ago, largely driven by Samsung and Lenovo, while iPad share declined to 29.7 per cent from 40.2 per cent.”
Although Apple has seen its market share drop in recent quarters, analysts have predicted that the slump will be short-lived with “robust shipment growth” expected to follow the recent iPad Air and iPad mini 2 releases.
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Via: 9to5Mac
