The pandemic is giving global tablet sales a boost

GLOBAL tablet shipments topped 50 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, reaching levels not seen since the fourth quarter of 2017 (49.9 million), according to data from IDC. Demand for tablets has never been so strong, buoyed by the demands of covid-19 restrictions and the growing need for flexibility when working, studying or enjoying entertainment at home.

Between October and December 2020, some 52.2 million tablets shipped worldwide, compared to 43.6 million over the same period last year.

Apple remains the market leader with its iPad range, with shipments totaling 19 million in three months, ahead of Samsung, which sold 10.1 million tablets. In third place, Lenovo shipments doubled (+120%) while Huawei is the only manufacturer to see a sharp decline in shipments (-25%). Between the two, Amazon tablet shipments remained stable at 3.6 million for Q4 2020.