The Indian market saw 1.58 lakh units of media tablets shipped (to distributors) in the three quarters ended June 2011, and the figure will touch 2.75 lakh units in the calendar year 2011, according to CyberMedia Research.
27 models
By June-end, the market was inundated with 27 models of tablets from 10 vendors, up from being a two-vendor market in October 2010. Olivepad launched the first tablet in India in July 2010.
Without commenting on RIM's 21 per cent share (for the nine-month period) within a month of launch, Mr Kunal Bajaj, Director-India, Analysis Mason, said, “It is difficult to say what amount of shipments convert into sales.
“There could be a variety of factors that lead to higher shipments, especially during launch, including product expectations.”
Cost of tablets
In the April to June 2011 quarter, the cost of tablets shipped ranged from Rs 8,000 and Rs 47,000 a unit. Going forward, CyberMedia Research expects a majority of tablet models to launch in the volume segment - between Rs 7,000 and Rs 15,000 a unit.
“The launch of low-cost tablets bundled with affordable data services on 3G and BWA networks can be expected to give a further boost to India tablet shipments in 2012 and beyond,” said Mr Naveen Mishra, Lead Analyst, Telecommunications Practice, CyberMedia Research.
Further proliferation of 3G networks and launch of more advanced networks will lead to new types of data services being consumed - a trend that would contribute to shipments touching 2.75 lakh units in CY 2011, according to CyberMedia. At that point, total number of vendors is expected to touch 35, with 90 models on offer.
Mobile device
CyberMedia Research defines media tablet as a mobile device for Internet and computing, with slate form factor (or option), larger than 5-inch screen size, touch screen as primary input method, and using mobile network or WiFi - or both - for Internet connectivity.