According to recent reports, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has reclaimed their spot as the number 1 tablet manufacturer in the world. They posted record sales for the quarter, dominating the market and securing the top spot over Samsung.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ‘s market share of tablet sales in the 2nd Q was a whopping 70%. Reports show that there were 24.4 million tablets sold in the quarter, which ended on June 30th. This record result immediately follows a 58% market share from the 1st quarter, and this quarter is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ‘s best, since the first quarter of 2011.
The company recorded 17 million iPad units sold, which is an 84% increase over the 2nd Q of 2011.
iSuppli’s director of tablet and monitor research, Rhoda Alexander, said in a statement, ” Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is making all the right moves to rebuild its dominat position in the tablet space. With the expected entrance of the 7 inch version of the iPad in September, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is sending a clear message that it plans to dominate this market over the long term.”
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) sold more than seven times as many tablets as its largest, and closest competitor, Samsung. Samsung posted sales of only 2.3 million tablets this quarter, which gave them a 9.2% market share.
The last three in the top five sellers of tablets this past quarter, were Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Asus, and Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS). However, all three of the makers together, did not equal Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (KRX:005930)’s total sales. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) posted a 13% drop in sales, quarter over quarter, while Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS) plummeted 25%. Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS) signed a deal with Microsoft, back in April, which has to do with the Nook tablet.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will be facing some new competitors in the market, as Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has revealed a $199 Nexus 7, and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will be releasing their Surface Tablets. The Surface Tablet has not yet been priced, and will most likely be a little cheaper than Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) ‘s iPad tablets. Even with the new competition, Alexander says that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is not backing down from the market.
Everyone has been talking about the iPad mini, although Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has yet to confirm its existence, analysts expect it to be released next month, along with another rumored product, the iPhone5. According to rumors, the iPad mini will feature a 7.85 inch screen, and a price tag of $249 to $299 each.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has one of the most dedicated user bases in the world, and according to Alexander, satisfied users will likely return to the same brand for their next tablet.
According to other research firms, Alexander’s predictions ring true, as they have agreed that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is the firm to watch in coming months. With its dedicated customer base, and more people joing those ranks every day, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will be the strongest competitor to anyone who dares enter the tablet market.
