China’s PC (desktop, notebook and workstation) shipments fell 13% in Q3 2022, while tablets were down 3% year on year. Desktop (including desktop workstation) and notebook (including mobile workstation) shipments declined 31% and 3% respectively, as commercial demand was restricted by a slowdown in economic activity and weakened business confidence.
The consumer segment was also lacklustre ahead of the traditional peak season, and the channel’s outlook for “Double 11” sales in Q4 is pessimistic, with inventory levels elevated.
The consumer tablet market was the only bright spot in Q3, with 18% year-on-year growth, saving the overall consumer segment from the massive decline seen in the commercial space.
“Smartphone vendors are proceeding full steam ahead as they see the tablet as a key opportunity to satisfy their existing users’ productivity needs,” said Canalys Analyst Emma Xu.
“These new entrants bring a wealth of experience in mobile product development to the tablet space. Furthermore, they are investing in enhancing cross-device collaboration functionality and connectivity capabilities to ensure tablets fit in seamlessly with their wider IoT portfolios. Smartphone vendors are becoming serious players in the Chinese tablet market as both their channel strategies and ecosystems are becoming more developed.”
Apple held onto first place in the tablet space but its growth slowed to seven per cent, even as its iPad supply situation improved compared with Q2. Huawei and Lenovo came second and third, but faced a comparatively difficult quarter, both posting double-digit declines as they were hampered by component constraints and a drop in commercial demand for tablets.
Fourth-placed HONOR enjoyed 41% growth in Q3, boosted by its Pad 8 series launch. Xiaomi rounded out the top five tablet vendors, posting 15% growth despite making relatively minor upgrades to its newly announced device.
