Branded handset vendors as well as ODM/OEM handset makers, who have ventured into the tablet PC segment, have recently switched their focus back to the development of 4- to 5-inch high-end smartphones in the wake of recent lackluster sales of Android-based tablets, according to industry sources.
With the exception of Samsung Electronics, which has managed to grab a 10% share of the global tablet PC segment, sales of tablet PCs from other vendors including Motorola Mobility, Research in Motion (RIM), LG Electronics (LGE) and HTC have been flat so far, the sources indicated.
While reducing their investments in the development of 7- to 10-inch tablets, handset vendors and ODMs have instead strengthened their R&D for high-end Android smartphones regarding that the current market share of Android-based smartphones is still higher than that of iPhone, said the sources.
Taiwan-based handset ODMs are also reluctant to commit large capital on tablet PCs given that only notebook ODMs and EMS firms including Foxconn Electronics, Quanta Computer, Compal Electronics and Inventec are now able to win more ODM tablet PC orders, the sources commented.
