Global tablet shipments in the first quarter of 2018 (1Q18) reached 31.7 million, declining 11.7% from the prior year, according to preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker. However, the growing niche of detachable tablets like the iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface experienced more than 2.9% year-over-year growth and captured 15.3% share as newer models came into play, according to the research group.
Meanwhile, the decline for traditional slate tablets continued as vendors managed to ship 26.8 million units, down 13.9% from the prior year. Apple’s leading position remained unchallenged during the quarter as the company managed to ship 9.1 million iPads.
Of that, 1.8 million were iPad Pro tablets, making Apple the leader in the detachable market as well. Apple’s latest iPad launched towards the end of the quarter and along with the company’s renewed focus on the education market should prove to be quite lucrative in the coming quarters, according to IDC.
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