What Display Daily thinks: It’s an interesting to observe the development of the tutoring tablet market, and the way manufacturers in China are integrating AI into their products. Education is often overlooked or marginalized by technology, a niche that is underfunded or underdeveloped. But, you have to think about the implications of AI, which opens up the door to possibilities that haven’t been there before, and you have to consider that the only meaningful presence that AI has is through a display.
So, what is really interesting about tutoring tablets here is that the more they can do, and the bigger they get, in size and capability, the greater the opportunity because most parents will do whatever they can to give their children an edge in succeeding at school or college. Does this mean that Chinese parents are way ahead of their counterparts in the US and Europe? Maybe. The shipment numbers are still low for the total accessible market, and growth is good, but not stellar. Is there an inflection point, driven by AI, that will change the trajectory from a slope with a gradient into an exponential curve? There certainly should be.
An AI-infused tablet for education could be a very profitable product. It really doesn’t need to have the best display, just good enough, and the onus is really on how effective it is as a personal tutor for a student. That comes down to the user experience and software services. Shouldn’t the concept of a tablet buddy who knows everything, and can supplement teaching, be the future of schooling?
Tutoring Tablet Market in China Shows Strong Growth
According to IDC China’s tutoring tablet market is witnessing significant growth. Shipments hit 1.03 million units in Q2’23, a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 36.6%. The first half of the year witnessed a rise in shipments of approximately 2.2 million units, a 37.2% YoY boost.
The surge in demand is attributed to growing consumer awareness of these tech products. As the demand grows, the market also sees heightened competition, with companies such as Xueersi and Youdao, a subsidiary of NetEase, plunging into the fray. In the vanguard of this bustling market stands Baidu. Its Xiaodu’s G-series products are a major contributor to the company clinching the top spot in the overall segment. Offered at an affordable price point and integrated with the Wenxin AI system, Baidu dominates the 1,000 – 2,000 yuan ($136-270) price segment.
Then there’s iFlytek with its AI-powered T-series which holds a dominant market share for products priced above 6,000 yuan ($800). In the second quarter of 2023, the company’s new C-series helped the company secure the second position in the market standings. BBK Electronics, a veteran player in the tutoring tablet market, continues to be the leader in offline sales. Its T series and X series products have been pivotal in consolidating this position, especially in the offline segment priced over 4,000 yuan ($547).
As for tablet size, although 10 to 11-inch screens are the dominant form factors, the market share for tablets with screens over 15 inches has grown, accounting for 16.5% of the market in 1H23. Parents are prioritizing tablets with improved screen quality and built-in eye protection.
