Apple sold 100 million iPads since the multimedia tablet was introduced 2.5 years ago, and Canaccord Genuity analyst Michael Walkley thinks its second 100 million in by the end of 2013. He expects that faster growth rate will come in part because of the just announced smaller form factor iPad mini.
Apple expected to sell 101.6 million iPads in 2013
"With the impressive refresh of the 4th generation Retina iPad and launch of the iPad Mini earlier this week, we anticipate very strong holiday quarter iPad sales," Mr. Walkley said. "Further, we believe the iPad Mini significantly expands Apple’s tablet addressable market internationally and should lead to strong sales throughout F2013 as international distribution increases."
He predicts Apple will sell 101.6 million iPads by the end of next year, giving the company 58.4 percent of the tablet market. In comparison, Mr. Walkley thinks Samsung will sell 8.4 million tablets and Amazon will sett 10.7 million.
Apple and Samsung will continue to control the smartphone market, according to Mr. Walkley's estimates. He projects Apple will sell 193.9 million iPhones in 2013 while Samsung sells 303.6 million, giving the two companies more than 50 percent of the overall market.
He added, "Given the current competitive dynamics, we believe Apple and Samsung will maintain dominant value share during Q4/12 with share gains for Apple versus Samsung expected in Q4/12."
With the stock market still closed because of Hurricane Sandy, after hours trading has Apple's stock at US$603.36, down 0.64 (0.11%).