Android devices are eating into iPad's share of the pie.
New data from IDC shows global tablet shipments hit 47.6 million in Q3 2013, which is up seven per cent and 36.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year respectively.
While iPad is arguably the device that got the market moving, Apple's share fell from 40.2 per cent in 2012 to 29.6 per cent this year, the lowest to date.
iPad sales fell from 14.6 million in Q2 to 14.1 million in Q3 without any new devices to encourage interest, though the new iPad Air and iPad Mini with retina display will look to pick up the slack ahead of Christmas.
Ultimately Android is responsible for the sales decline. Google OS-powered Samsung, Asus and Lenovo tablets all experienced shipment growth, with the former securing a 20.4 per cent share (9.7 million units) of the market and a 12.4 per cent share (4.3 million units).
Lenovo recently appointed Ashton Kutcher as a product engineer at the launch of its new Android-based Yoga Tablet line, while the OS has also been favoured by Tesco, Argos and Carphone Warehouse.
Jitesh Ubrani, research analyst with IDC's Tablet Tracker, said: "With two 7.9-inch models starting at $299 and $399, and two 9.7-inch models starting at $399 and $499, Apple is taking steps to appeal to multiple segments.
"While some undoubtedly hoped for more aggressive pricing from Apple, the current prices clearly reflect Apple's ongoing strategy to maintain its premium status. It's worth noting that Apple wasn't the only one to increase the price of its small-sized tablet during this product cycle: Both Google and Amazon increased the price of their newest 7-inch tablets from $199 to $229 to cover the higher costs associated with high resolution screens and better processors."

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