The gap between the iPad and Android in the tablet market is shrinking faster than expected

Apple continues to lead the tablet market, according to ABI Research, however, the iPad’s share for the quarter decreased by 14% to 55. Android tablets could outperform the iPad next year — a year ago it’s unlikely anyone would believe writes TechCrunch.

After the release of the iPad in 2010, forecasts immediately appeared that Android would overtake Apple in the tablet market, just as it did with smartphones. However, these forecasts most often stated that this would happen by 2015 or 2016. Last year, Gartner predicted even more dominance from Apple, estimating that in 2015 the iPad would have 47% of the market, and Android-based tablets - 38.
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The share of Apple has not declined as yet, but Android already has all 44% - partly due to the complete failure of tablets on other platforms. Neither HP's WebOS, nor RIM's PlayBook, have become rivals of iOS on Android. This lack of competitive alternatives has helped Android increase its share much faster than everyone expected.

The latest forecast from Finvista Advisors says that Android can get ahead in mid-2013. The closing gap is evidence of a significant improvement in the quality and diversity of Android tablets, including successful low-cost devices from Amazon (which are said to sell well this holiday season in the US, although there are no figures yet) and Google Nexus 7 (according to Asus, its sales are approaching the figure of a million per month). Samsung also has high sales of tablets, according to ABI.

According to ABI, iPad mini has helped Apple a little to increase total sales, but it's probably still too early to say what impact the new form factor will ultimately have on the company's market share. And even if Apple loses primacy in the market in 2013, it is unlikely to have a negative impact on financial performance; after all, the loss of primacy in the smartphone market has not prevented the continued growth in iPhone sales.