iPad loses market share in China

By Edmond Lococo

Apple’s share of the Chinese tabletcomputer market plunged in the second quarter as Samsung Electronics and dozens of local makers built on gains in smartphones to curb growth in iPad shipments.

Apple accounted for 28% of tablet shipments during the period, down from 49% a year earlier, Dickie Chang, a Hong Kong-based analyst, said on Wednesday. Samsung surged to second with 11%, while half of shipments were generated by producers with 1% or less each in market share, he said.

Consumers in China are turning to cheaper tablets using Google’s Android operating system, following a trend in smartphones that saw the iPhone’s market share almost halve. Local brands including Ramos and Teclast are joining Samsung and Lenovo Group in capturing sales once dominated by the iPad.

“Apple has lost its luster in China and is no longer the must-have product in any category,” said Shaun Rein, MD of China Market Research Group.