The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unexpected consequences, including a sudden sharp rise in tablet sales, according to a market-research firm. Specifically, there’s significantly increased demand for large tablets with removable keyboards that can function as laptops.
The bigger tablets are being used for both productivity and entertainment while people are quarantined. “Productivity is a key driver in these trends, but let’s face it: quarantine is boring and streaming video is always better on a larger screen,” notes Eric Smith with Strategy Analytics. “Even low-cost entertainment slate tablets have caught a piece of the boom in tablet demand.”
For the first time, tablets larger than 10-inches are the most popular, reports Strategy Analytics. They’re expected to make up 56% of sales in 2020, up from 45% in the preceding year. And the market-research firm predicts this trend will continue, with larger tablets reaching 64% of the global market in 2025.
“Small sized tablet demand is declining as large smartphones/phablets continue to put pressure on small tablet demand,” said Smith. “Accordingly, tablet vendors have focused their portfolios on the 10″ to 13″ segment and notebook sizing has moved to 13″ and beyond for the most part.”
Apple benefits from this trend. All current iPad models except for the iPad mini are larger than 10 inches.
Tablet sales move toward detachable 2-in-1s
Interest in the traditional slate design for tablets is waning. Buyers increasingly choose models that can be used with a detachable keyboard, making them both tablet and laptop. This category of devices, called detachable 2-in-1s, are expected to make up 40% of sales in 2020, up from 30% last year and just 17% in 2017.
Strategy Analytics said, “the trend towards devices which compete more seriously as notebook PC alternatives is likely to continue,” and predicts the percentage of 2-in-1s will rise to 46% in 2022.
Apple embraced this trend too. All current iPad models except the iPad mini include the Smart Connector so they can be used with the Apple Smart Keyboard. And the iPad Pro and newest iPad Air can use the Apple Magic keyboard.
Recognizing that tablets aren’t inherently different devices from laptops and desktops, analysis firm Canalys says combined sales of iPad and Mac made Apple the second largest computer maker in the world during the second quarter of 2020.
