Global tablet shipments in the first quarter of 2026 reached 37.02 million units. This figure represents a marginal year-over-year growth of just 0.1 percent. The slight increase in volume stems primarily from inventory accumulation rather than strong consumer demand.
Apple maintained its position as the market leader during this period. Huawei and Lenovo achieved significant shipment growth, securing the third and fourth spots in market share respectively. In contrast, Samsung and Xiaomi experienced a decline in their tablet shipments.
Market analysis firm Omdia reports that the importance of tablets is declining across multiple metrics. Himani Mukka, a research manager at Omdia, notes that margins, sales volume, and overall value are all decreasing. Manufacturers are becoming more cautious about which devices to prioritize given the constrained supply environment.
PC manufacturers are focusing their efforts on laptops and desktops. Companies that produce both smartphones and tablets are gradually shifting resources toward smartphones. This strategic pivot occurs because smartphone revenue contributes far more to their overall business than tablet sales do.
The tablet sector is seeing a shift in focus toward the high-end segment. Manufacturers believe this niche market offers more robust demand compared to the mass market. Omdia has not confirmed specific launch windows or pricing for any new devices in this category.
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