According to a Gartner Study from April 2011, it was predicted that Android would hold a 38% share of the tablet market by 2015. Now there’s a new report out from ABI research that’s suggesting the Google’s Android OS could surpass the 38% much sooner. The latest data is pointing to Android devices accounting for 44% of all tablets shipped in the last quarter. Which is just 11% shy of the Cupertino competitor’s lead.
While these numbers only speak for a particular part of time in 2012, they do show a continuing trend thanks to the Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 which set the standard in specs and low pricing. All thanks to Google, and their hardware partners ASUS, and Samsung respectively. Apple keeps their lead based on how many people have already bought iPads and are turned off by how many tablet-optimized apps Android has compared to the iPad. But with prices like $199 for a quad-core 7-inch tablet, is rapidly changing those perspectives.
Now it’s not just Google setting the trend in pricing. Amazon started it last year with the Kindle Fire which sold for just $199. Some will argue and say that the Kindle Fire isn’t an Android tablet, and I’d likely agree. Especially since it has none of the Google services on board. Like the Play Store, Google Wallet, Gmail, etc.. In 2012 Amazon raised the bar even higher. Offering their Next generation Kindle Fire for $159. So it’ll be interesting to see what competitors will do when they release their new tablets in the coming months, even Google with their successor to the Nexus 7 and 10 in 2013.
Now the estimates that Android could overtake Apple’s lead in the tablet race are starting to change from 2015-2016 down to as soon as the middle of next year. That’s quite a leap, right? But so was the Nexus 7, Nexus 10, and Kindle Fire/Kindle Fire HD. It’ll be interesting to see if Apple can compete in that price range. They’ve already failed hard with the iPad Mini. Basically shrinking the iPad 2 down and charging $329 for it.
If you had a choice, which tablet would you buy. A Nexus or an iPad? Let us know in the comments.