14 DAY TRIAL // Windows is continuously improving its market share in the tablet business, with Microsoft’s operating system now getting very close to Apple, which loses ground every single quarter.
A report from Strategy Analytics shows that in the fourth quarter of 2016, both Android and iOS lost market share points, while Windows was the only platform improving at a substantial rate.
Specifically, Android remains the leading tablet platform with a share of 63 percent and 40.3 million devices, while iOS is the runner-up with 20.6 percent share and 13.1 million devices. Windows is third but not far behind iOS with 16 percent share and 10.1 million devices.
Performance figures that compare Q4 2016 with the same quarter of the previous year show that both Android and iOS are declining, while Windows continues its growing trend, obviously pushed by Windows 10 and the updates that Microsoft released in the meantime.
Apple, for example, declined 19 percent, the research shows, while Android went down 10 percent. Windows, on the other hand, posted an increase of 19 percent during the same quarter.
No new Surface models, but more devices from partners
And this all happened during a year when Microsoft hasn’t released any new Surface models, which is living proof that the Windows ecosystem is growing and there’s a bigger number of partners adopting Windows on their tablets and 2-in-1 devices.
“2-in-1 Tablets are a hot market segment but price remains a key factor in consumer behaviors around PC and Tablet replacement devices, which is evident in lower shipments of iPad Pro and Surface Pro 4 devices in the quarter,” Eric Smith, Senior Analyst, Tablet & Touchscreen Strategies service, says.
“Apple cut prices on its iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 models but introduced no new iPad Pro models or pricing during the quarter, leading to 4% ASP decline year-on-year. Microsoft has not released a major refresh of its Surface Pro or Surface Book devices in over a year, which has given its OEM partners and other mobile-first companies a chance to catch up with high-performing, lower cost Surface clones.”
Microsoft, on the other hand, is expected to refresh its Surface lineup as soon as this year, with the company likely to introduce the Surface Pro 5 and the Surface Book in the spring.
