iPad Demand Soars as Apple Widens Lead Over Samsung and Xiaomi

Apple led the global tablet market in the first quarter of 2025, achieving 14% year-over-year shipment growth amid heightened demand for iPads, according to new data from Canalys.

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Worldwide tablet shipments reached 36.8 million units in the first quarter 2025, representing an 8.5% year-over-year increase. Apple shipped 13.7 million iPads during the quarter, up from 12.1 million in the first quarter of 2024, raising its global market share from 35.5% to 37.3%. The company's performance came in the context of growing replacement demand for tablets first purchased during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by recent hardware updates to the iPad lineup.

Apple's shipment growth outpaced the broader market average and occurred despite increased competitive pressure from Chinese vendors including Xiaomi, Huawei, and HONOR. According to Canalys, these brands gained market share by targeting lower cost segments with wide device portfolios and by leveraging ecosystem integration across devices. Xiaomi, in particular, saw a 56.1% year-over-year increase in tablet shipments, reaching 3.1 million units and surpassing Lenovo for the first time.

Tag: Canalys

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Top Rated Comments

russell_314 Avatar
10 months ago
Of course. iPads are the only way to go.


There’s only two reasons to buy an android tablet. The most common is you want the cheapest possible tablet for a very young child who will destroy it. The second is you have some issue with Apple.

Did I forget one?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 months ago

Of course. iPads are the only way to go.


There’s only two reasons to buy an android tablet. The most common is you want the cheapest possible tablet for a very young child who will destroy it. The second is you have some issue with Apple.

Did I forget one?
Or you just want want to use another company’s product
Just because you buy another tablet then it’s quite possible it meets your requirements and not because you have an issue with Apple
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

Of course. iPads are the only way to go.


There’s only two reasons to buy an android tablet. The most common is you want the cheapest possible tablet for a very young child who will destroy it. The second is you have some issue with Apple.

Did I forget one?
I've never seen an Android tablet in the wild, other than permanently attached to some medical equipment and running a proprietary OS or overlay. I do see Fire tablets when traveling, and I guess, technically, it's an Android tablet...but not really?

Personally, I have never had a use for a tablet other than an iPad 2 (yes, it still works and I won it in a raffle) I have in my workshop to watch streaming MLB. I've bought and sold four iPads..I'd use them for a couple weeks, then they would end up gathering dust for months at a time.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StralyanPithecus Avatar
10 months ago
Unfortunately even that there is out there great hardware in some tablets, the issue with with me is the OS and the Apple integration. Android tablets look like big phones, most apps are not design for tablets but for phones, and is pathetic ugly. My wife uses Android, I've tried several times Android Tablets and I miserably failed to integrate them into my workflow.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CalMin Avatar
10 months ago
Only people I know who use Android Tablets are my parents who got them free with some cellphone deal a few years back. They only stream shows on them. I suppose I have to concede that a couple of friends with young children also use Amazon Fire tablets - again as streaming devices.

iPad just does the tablet thing so much better than Android that it's no surprise that it dominates the market.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 months ago

I've never seen an Android tablet in the wild, other than permanently attached to some medical equipment and running a proprietary OS or overlay. I do see Fire tablets when traveling, and I guess, technically, it's an Android tablet...but not really?

Personally, I have never had a use for one other an iPad 2 (yes, it still works) I have in my workshop to watch streaming MLB. I've bought and sold four iPads..I'd use them for a couple weeks, then they would end up gathering dust for months at a time.
I’ve only ever seen non-Apple tablets as paid product placement in movies or on television.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)