When Apple first released the iPad back in 2010, rival vendors scrambled to release 10-inch tablets that might compete in the re-emerging media tablet category. Early offerings weren’t well received, however, and Android tablet makers soon discovered that the best way to compete was to scale down to 7-inches and offer less expensive tablets. Following the release of the 8-inch iPad mini, however, Apple rivals again began to chase the new iPad model, believing a balance between size and price could be struck at 8 inches. Initial offerings like the Galaxy Note 8.0 were indeed solid, but a recent report suggests sales have been disappointing all around.
According to unnamed sources at Taiwan-based component suppliers speaking with Digitimes, Android tablet makers are cutting orders for 8-inch tablet parts because sales are falling short of expectations. Samsung and Acer were both named in the report.
Vendors thought that 8-inch tablets would gradually replace 7-inch models as the new mainstream tablet size, but apparently only the iPad mini has seen real success among 8-inch tablets. Demand for competing models from Samsung and other tablet makers has been “weak,” according to the report.
Digitimes says that 8-inch tablet shipments are expected to make up about 10 percent of total global tablet shipments in 2013, though Apple’s iPad mini will account for the lion’s share of that figure.
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