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Samsung's sold more than 37 million tablets in 2013, the most of any Android tablet manufacturer. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Apple knocked off top spot as Android tablets now outsell the iPad

More than 120 million Android tablets were sold in 2013, but Apple is still the most popular tablet manufacturer as it sold 70 million iPads.

IT MAY HAVE taken longer than expected, but Android tablets finally overtook the iPad in market share in 2013.

Research from Gartner found that more than 120 million Android tablets were sold during 2013, giving it 62 per cent of the market.

In comparison, Apple’s iPad sold 70 million units, which meant it has 36 per cent of the market.

Microsoft saw modest growth as well, but it only accounts for 2 per cent of the overall market as it sold just over four million Windows 8 tablets last year.

The biggest winner from this was Samsung which saw a major increase in the number of tablets sold. It sold 37 million tablets last year compared to the eight million it sold in 2012.

That’s slightly more than half of the number of iPads sold in 2013, making Apple the most popular tablet manufacturer in the world.

Gartner says that the reasons for Android taking the top spot was because of the low-end smaller screen tablet market, and first time buyers looking for cheaper devices.

While the reasons behind the increase was expected, what is surprising is how long it’s taken to reach this point, considering the number of companies out there making low and mid-range Android tablets.

While the number of tablets sold means that Android is the more popular platform used, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it translates to large profits for manufacturers. Google, however, won’t care as it Android is now first in an industry that was previously dominated by Apple.

Read: Apple takes Siri for a spin by launching hands-free software for drivers >

Read: Google’s newest project will let you put together smartphones like Lego >

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86 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conn Rogers
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    May 28th 2015, 12:44 PM

    Expected battery life: 4 minutes

    285
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    Mute Deco James Connolly
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    May 28th 2015, 1:14 PM

    That long ! Sign me up.

    60
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    Mute MadMax
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    May 28th 2015, 2:37 PM

    About she same time as my iPhone then

    32
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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 12:44 PM

    Any chance they could just develop stronger batteries for smartphones.

    116
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    May 28th 2015, 2:02 PM

    Why would they do that. They need that battery to run its course after a couple of years to sell you a new phone.

    37
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    Mute The Descolada
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    May 28th 2015, 12:48 PM

    Bet the japanese are already figuring out how to use it with porn

    67
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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    May 28th 2015, 2:03 PM

    Japanese. Be one of the first things most men anywhere in the world would do.

    27
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    Mute stewie
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    May 28th 2015, 1:39 PM

    it feels like only yesterday that having Snake or Tetris on your phone was the height of technology.Im getting old.

    43
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    Mute John Reese
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    May 28th 2015, 1:38 PM

    Battery life is THE issue on phones these days. The man or company that comes up with a solution will be rich.

    25
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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 1:53 PM

    The Duracell Bunny has been strangely quiet this last while. Must be hard at work in R&D

    19
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    Mute Raymond Power
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    May 28th 2015, 1:41 PM

    Seems the sci fi movies of 30 years ago are truly upon us.

    22
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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    May 28th 2015, 3:10 PM

    Where’s all the hoverboards???

    7
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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 6:18 PM
    4
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    Mute JustAoife
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    May 28th 2015, 12:41 PM

    That was (falsely) leaked as a feature of the iPhone 5 a couple of years back. Thought it was just as pointless then as it is now

    16
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    Mute JustAoife
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    May 28th 2015, 3:08 PM
    3
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 28th 2015, 12:59 PM

    WANT!!!!

    12
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    Mute Ciaran Farrell
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    May 28th 2015, 1:10 PM

    Deborah.. The phone or Pontious’ suggestion?

    22
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 28th 2015, 9:24 PM

    Eaney meaney miney mo!!

    2
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    Mute John Doyle
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    May 28th 2015, 1:17 PM

    Probably be full of bloatware. Click Advert to use keyboard or something stupid like that.

    6
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    Mute Shakka1244
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    May 28th 2015, 3:19 PM

    I’m guessing you’re a “glass half empty” type of guy. Am I right?

    10
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    Mute Adrian Bollard
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    May 28th 2015, 4:56 PM

    The future is nigh…

    2
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    Mute Aaron Brady
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    May 28th 2015, 3:33 PM

    Looks good, but lenovo are stuck on mid range phones, screen doesn’t look anywhere near a 5 inch, also doesn’t even look like it’s 1080o

    1
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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    May 28th 2015, 10:45 PM

    Re: The usage of “cause” here.
    When the word “because” is abbreviated it is normally spelt as ‘cos.
    (This is ‘cos the words because and cause have completely different meanings)

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    Mute SCO Electrical
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    May 28th 2015, 6:42 PM

    Class

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    Mute Sam McCormack
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    May 28th 2015, 11:19 PM

    Like the HP Sprout then.

    1
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