Worldwide tablet shipments posted flat growth of 0.3% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2022 (4Q22), totaling 45.7 million units, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.

For the full year 2022, the tablet market saw a decline of 3.3% year over year, ending two years of solid growth although shipments remain well above pre-pandemic levels, says IDC. Meanwhile, Chromebook shipments continued to contract in 4Q22 with shipments totaling 3.6 million units for a year-over-year decline of 24.3%. Shipments for the full year were down 48% in 2022 after an astounding 180.5% growth in 2021.

Apple and Samsung continued to be the main drivers for the tablet market, according to IDC. Apple gained ten percentage points in market share compared to 4Q21. Apple also launched several new products in the quarter – the 11″ and 12.9″ iPad Pros and a 10.9″ iPad – which were well received – says IDC. The delayed launch of these products and the low base for comparison due to constraints in their supply chain drove the gains for Apple in 4Q22.

According to IDC, Samsung benefitted from continued efforts in effective resource management, especially to fulfill several projects in Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and China) and Western Europe. The vendor has also been focusing on its premium tablet lineup to help build shipment volume.

For Amazon, even though the fourth quarter is generally its best shipment quarter, two Prime Day sales in the year and the overall softness in the demand led to reduced shipments in the quarter.

Lenovo and Huawei finished the quarter in a statistical tie* for the fourth position. Lenovo’s shipments have been in decline due to several commercial projects coming to an end. Huawei’s increased focus on marketing large screen tablets in their main geographic market, China (PRC), is paying off and they’ve managed to remain in the top 5 despite many hurdles, says IDC.

[Table courtesy: IDC]