Worldwide tablet shipments reached 46 million units during the fourth quarter of 2021 (4Q21), posting a decline for the second time since the pandemic began in 2020. Shipments declined 11.9% year over year in 4Q21 as demand slowed, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.
For the full year 2021, total tablet shipments were up 3.2% year over year and reached 168.8 million units, the market’s highest level since 2016. Meanwhile, Chromebook shipments declined 63.6% year over year in 4Q21, but managed to grow 13.5% for the full year.
“Though 2021 was a great year for the tablet market, shipments have begun to decelerate as the market has moved past peak demand across many geographies,” said Anuroopa Nataraj, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “However, shipments in the near future will remain above pre-pandemic levels as virtual learning, remote work, and media consumption remain priorities for users.”
“Much of the initial demand for Chromebooks has been satiated in primary markets like the U.S. and Europe and this has led to a slowdown in overall shipments. However, Chromebook demand in emerging markets has seen continued growth in the past year,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager with IDC’s Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. “Supply has also been unusually tight for Chromebooks as component shortages have led vendors to prioritize Windows machines due to their higher price tags, further suppressing Chromebook shipments on a global scale.”
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Top Five Tablet Companies, Worldwide Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q4 2021 (Preliminary results, combined company view for the current quarter only, shipments in millions) |
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|
Company |
4Q21 Unit Shipments |
4Q21 Market Share |
4Q20 Unit Shipments |
4Q20 Market Share |
Year-Over-Year Growth |
|
1. Apple |
17.5 |
38.0% |
19.1 |
36.6% |
-8.6% |
|
2. Samsung |
7.3 |
15.9% |
9.3 |
17.8% |
-21.6% |
|
3. Lenovo |
4.6 |
10.0% |
6.2 |
11.8% |
-25.4% |
|
4. Amazon.com |
3.6 |
7.9% |
3.6 |
6.8% |
1.3% |
|
5. Huawei* |
2.5 |
5.5% |
2.9 |
5.6% |
-13.9% |
|
Others |
10.5 |
22.8% |
11.1 |
21.3% |
-5.9% |
|
Total |
46.0 |
100.0% |
52.2 |
100.0% |
-11.9% |
|
5. Huawei (including Honor volume in 4Q20)** |
2.5 |
5.5% |
3.3 |
6.3% |
-23.5% |
|
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, January 28, 2022 |
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Top Five Tablet Companies, Worldwide Shipments, Market Share, and Growth, Calendar Year 2021 (Preliminary results, combined company view for the current quarter only, shipments in millions) |
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|
Company |
2021 Unit Shipments |
2021 Market Share |
2020 Shipments |
2020 Market Share |
Year-Over-Year Growth |
|
1. Apple |
57.8 |
34.2% |
53.3 |
32.6% |
8.4% |
|
2. Samsung |
30.9 |
18.3% |
29.7 |
18.2% |
3.8% |
|
3. Lenovo |
17.7 |
10.5% |
14.8 |
9.1% |
19.2% |
|
4. Amazon.com |
16.1 |
9.5% |
14.0 |
8.6% |
15.1% |
|
5. Huawei* |
9.7 |
5.7% |
14.3 |
8.7% |
-32.1% |
|
Others |
36.7 |
21.7% |
37.4 |
22.8% |
-1.8% |
|
Total |
168.8 |
100.0% |
163.5 |
100.0% |
3.2% |
|
5. Huawei (including Honor volume in 4Q20)** |
9.7 |
5.7% |
16.0 |
9.8% |
-39.5% |
|
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, January 28, 2022 |
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Table Notes: * Since Huawei sold its Honor business, data for Huawei in the top line excludes Honor volume for both 4Q21 and 4Q20. ** For year-on-year comparison, an extra line has been added below the table to show what Huawei’s growth would have looked like including Honor volume in 4Q20. |
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Top Five Chromebook Companies, Worldwide Shipments, Market Share, and Year-Over-Year Growth, Q4 2021 (Preliminary results, combined company view for the current quarter only, shipments in millions) |
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|
Company |
4Q21 Shipments |
4Q21 Market Share |
4Q20 Shipments |
4Q20 Market Share |
Year-Over Year Growth |
|
1. Acer Group |
1.3 |
26.3% |
2.2 |
16.8% |
-43.3% |
|
2. Dell Technologies |
1.0 |
20.3% |
2.7 |
20.3% |
-63.6% |
|
3. Lenovo |
0.8 |
16.1% |
2.9 |
22.1% |
-73.5% |
|
4. Samsung |
0.6 |
12.3% |
0.8 |
5.8% |
-22.4% |
|
5. HP Inc. |
0.5 |
9.9% |
3.5 |
26.9% |
-86.7% |
|
Others |
0.7 |
15.2% |
1.1 |
8.1% |
-31.8% |
|
Total |
4.8 |
100.0% |
13.1 |
100.0% |
-63.6% |
|
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, January 28, 2022 |
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Top Five Chromebook Companies, Worldwide Shipments, Market Share, and Growth, Calendar Year 2021 (Preliminary results, combined company view for the current quarter only, shipments in millions) |
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|
Company |
2021 Shipments |
2021 Market Share |
2020 Shipments |
2020 Market Share |
Year-Over Year Growth |
|
1. HP Inc. |
10.2 |
27.7% |
9.4 |
28.8% |
9.3% |
|
2. Lenovo |
8.3 |
22.4% |
6.7 |
20.7% |
23.4% |
|
3. Acer Group |
6.4 |
17.3% |
6.1 |
18.7% |
4.6% |
|
4. Dell Technologies |
5.4 |
14.6% |
5.7 |
17.5% |
-5.2% |
|
5. Samsung |
3.2 |
8.8% |
1.8 |
5.6% |
77.2% |
|
Others |
3.4 |
9.2% |
2.8 |
8.7% |
19.5% |
|
Total |
37.0 |
100.0% |
32.6 |
100.0% |
13.5% |
|
Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, January 28, 2022 |
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Table Notes:
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IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, company share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC’s Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.
