China’s tablet market shipped around 7.42 million units in Q4 2021, which is a YoY increase of 20.9%, shows a report from IDC. And for the entire year, shipments totaled 28.46 million units — a YoY increase of 21.8%, which is the highest growth rate in the past seven years. This comes even as global tablet shipments fell 11.9% YoY due to slowing demand.
The tablet market in China is similar to the global market in that the demand for tablets for learning, office, and entertainment will exist for a long time due to the pandemic. However, unlike the global tablet market where demand eventually dipped after reaching its peak, China will see continued growth. This is because even as new players pop up in the tablet market, existing companies will carry on with increasing investment.
However, there are some challenges in the commercial market. Tight budgets and the reelection of local governments at all levels have caused government and education procurement to shrink significantly. The limited budget has limited education procurement to equipment such as electronic blackboards and electronic class cards. Resultantly, tablet sales seem set to be inclined more towards the consumer market.
In terms of OS market share, Apple’s iPad stock shortage led to a decline in iOS in Q4 2021. Domestic manufacturers, on the other hand, saw relief in supply problems, consequently increasing Android’s share slightly. Windows saw a similar rise in its share with the launch of new products from Huawei and Microsoft.
In terms of processor market share, Apple’s self-developed chips continued their domination. But it was Qualcomm that was the real winner here, seeing a significant increase in global share and coming in second by the end of 2021. Huawei’s Hisilicon chips maintained their hold over a sizeable chunk of the market, defying heavy pressure from the outside world.
All in all, IDC expects the Chinese tablet market to continue its upward trend for the next few years, thanks to improvements in displays and ecosystem technologies.
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