Despite its repeated attempts in the Mobile world, Microsoft's has not been able to make a remarkable advancement in mobile computing. Though its Windows Phone has fizzled in the market, research firm IDC predicts Microsoft to make significant headways in the already crowded tablet business over the next few years. A recent IDC study expects Windows-based devices to have roughly 10 percent market share by 2016.
"Long term, IDC predicts Windows-based tablets (including Windows 8 and Windows RT) will grab share from both iOS and Android, growing from 1 percent of the market in 2011 to 2.9 percent in 2012, on its way to 10.3 percent in 2016," the study said.
IDC increased its 2012 forecast for the worldwide tablet market to 122.3 million, up from its previous forecast of 117.1 million units due to a strong competitive landscape such as surging Android tablet shipments and robust demand for Apple's new iPad mini. IDC also raised its 2013 forecast number to 172.4 million units, up from 165.9 million units. According to the latest forecast update of the Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, worldwide shipments will reach 282.7 million units by 2016, up from a previous forecast of 261.4 million units.
Tablet Operating Systems, Market Share Forecast and CAGR 2012-2016
Tablet OS | 2012 Market Share | 2016 Market Share | CAGR 2012 - 2016 (%) |
iOS | 53.8% | 49.7% | 20.9% |
Android | 42.7% | 39.7% | 21.0% |
Windows | 2.9% | 10.3% | 69.2% |
Other | 0.6% | 0.3% | 7.7% |
Grand Total | 100.0% | 100.0% | 23.3% |
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker.
"Tablets continue to captivate consumers, and as the market shifts toward smaller, more mobile screen sizes and lower prices points, we expect demand to accelerate in the fourth quarter and beyond," said Tom Mainelli, research director, Tablets at IDC. "Android tablets are gaining traction in the market thanks to solid products from Google, Amazon, Samsung, and others. And Apple's November iPad mini launch, along with its surprise refresh of the full-sized iPad, positions the company well for a strong holiday season."
Increasing the operating system splits for the year to reflect Android's growing strength in the tablet market, the analysis expects Android's worldwide tablet share to increase from 39.8 percent in 2011 to 42.7 percent for the full year of 2012. During that same time Apple's share will slip from 56.3 percent in 2011 to 53.8 percent in 2012. Long term, IDC predicts Windows-based tablets (including Windows 8 and Windows RT) will grab share from both iOS and Android, growing from 1 percent of the market in 2011 to 2.9% in 2012, on its way to 10.3 percent in 2016.
"Android tablet shipments will certainly act as the catalyst for growth in the low-cost segment in emerging markets given the platform's low barrier to entry on manufacturing. At the same time, top-tier companies like Samsung, Lenovo, and ASUS are all launching Android tablets with comparable specs, but offered at much lower price points," said Ryan Reith, program manager for IDC's Mobile Device Trackers.
