According to market research firm Omdia, global tablet shipments totaled 35.57 million units in the second quarter of 2026. This marks a 10% year-on-year decline and a 3.93% decrease compared to the previous quarter, breaking seasonal patterns as Q2 shipments fell rather than rose due to back-to-school demand.
Market Leader Apple Sees Slight Drop but Gains Share
Apple retained the top position with 13.46 million tablets shipped, down 7.5% year-on-year. Despite this decline, Apple’s share of the global tablet market increased to 37.8%, a 1 percentage point rise from Q2 2025. The standard iPad accounted for most shipments, while the iPad Air and iPad mini contributed less significantly.
Samsung’s Shipments Retreat amid Supply Constraints
Samsung shipped approximately 5.8 million tablets, down 13% from the prior year. Omdia notes ongoing component supply limitations have impacted Samsung’s production. The company reportedly plans to adjust its product mix dynamically throughout 2026, prioritizing higher-margin devices to protect profits.
Lenovo’s Growth Stands Out Among Top Vendors
Lenovo was the only company among the top five to record growth, delivering 3.94 million tablets, a 27.1% increase year-over-year. This rise reflects genuine end-user demand, supplemented by channel stockpiling ahead of anticipated price hikes and major retail promotions.
Xiaomi and Huawei Both Face Shipment Declines
Xiaomi ranked fourth with 2.84 million units shipped, seeing a 6.8% decline year-on-year. Its performance was supported by strong demand in China and steady sales across other Asia-Pacific markets. Huawei shipped 2.73 million tablets, falling 15.6% compared to Q2 2025.
The detailed data highlights how supply issues and shifting consumer demand are reshaping the global tablet market, with Xiaomi maintaining a stable presence despite the overall slowdown.
Source: ithome.com
