San Francisco, CA – The highly anticipated release of the new iPad Pro models with OLED screens and a thinner form factor has stirred up excitement among tech enthusiasts. However, a recent forecast from market intelligence firm TrendForce suggests that the demand for these devices may not be as high as expected.
TrendForce predicts that total shipments of the latest iPad Pro models in 2024 could range from 4.5 to 5 million units, which would actually represent a decrease from the previous year. The company attributes this potential decrease in demand to two key factors.
One factor contributing to the subdued demand is the increase in price of the new models. With a $200 price hike from previous versions, coupled with the necessity of purchasing new accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro, the overall cost of upgrading to the latest iPad Pro becomes significantly expensive.
Another factor dampening demand is the introduction of the 13-inch iPad Air. This new product offering provides users with an alternative to the iPad Pro, allowing them to access a larger screen without the need to pay for advanced Pro features that may not be essential to them.
Despite the projected lower demand, TrendForce notes that Apple is still poised to dominate a significant portion of the OLED iPad market. The company is expected to capture around half of the market share, as the total shipment of AMOLED tablets is projected to reach approximately 9 million units in 2024, making up about 7% of the tablet market.
In conclusion, while the new iPad Pro models offer exciting advancements in technology with OLED screens and a sleek design, the forecasted demand for these devices may not reach the anticipated levels. Factors such as pricing and competition from other Apple products like the iPad Air are likely to influence consumer purchasing decisions in the tablet market this year.