In the first quarter of 2026, global tablet shipments amounted to 37.02 million units, registering a marginal year-on-year growth of 0.1%. This uptick was largely attributable to inventory build-up, whereas the fundamental frailty in market demand stayed constant. When it comes to the performance of manufacturers, Huawei and Lenovo witnessed notable growth in their shipment volumes. Apple, on the other hand, reinforced its dominant market position, while Samsung and Xiaomi encountered a downturn in their shipments.

As we look forward to the rest of 2026, tablets are expected to diminish in significance concerning profit margins, sales volume, and overall market value. Both consumers and manufacturers are anticipated to exercise greater prudence in device selection. PC manufacturers are likely to concentrate more on laptops and desktops, whereas those with a presence in both the smartphone and tablet markets will tilt more towards smartphones.

Furthermore, in 2026, manufacturers are set to focus more intently on the high-end market segment, while the mass market is poised to confront more formidable challenges. The market outlook for the latter half of the year remains guarded, with the mass market segment expected to shoulder the heaviest burden in terms of both shipment volume and value.