After recently analysing the Q3 2012 performance of the mobile phone- and smartphone OS markets, market research company IDC (International Data Corporation) now turns its attention to the tablet sector.

According to preliminary data from the IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker service, tablet shipments during Q3 2012 amounted to 27.8 million units. This means that the tablet market grew 49.5% year-on-year and 6.7% compared to the previous quarter (Q2 2012).

When it comes to tablets, Android shipments were led by Samsung and Amazon, with both of these OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) profiting at the expense of Apple. The iPhone maker saw its tablet market share slip notably during Q3 2012, enabling a couple of its competitors to finally put a dent in the company’s commanding worldwide market tablet share. Cupertino’s share decreased from 65.5% during Q2 2012 to 50.4% within Q3 2012.

Apple loses its shine, sales mojo expected to return in Q4

Tom Mainelli, research director for Tablets at IDC stated that after Apple’s very strong second quarter performance, the firm’s market growth slowed with consumers delaying their purchase of new iPads as rumours of the iPad mini began to heat up.

“We believe a sizeable percentage of consumers interested in buying an Apple tablet sat out the third quarter in anticipation of an announcement about the new iPad mini. Now that the new mini, and a fourth-generation full-sized iPad, are both shipping we expect Apple to have a very good quarter. However, we believe the mini’s relatively high $329 starting price leaves plenty of room for Android vendors to build upon the success they achieved in the third quarter.”