A new supply chain report today from DigiTimes Research states that "Apple is expected to ship 9.8 million iPads in the first quarter of 2016, historically its lowest quarterly level, with decreases of 39.1% on quarter and nearly 20% on year."

The report notes that "There will be an estimated 46.65 million tablets shipped globally in the first quarter of 2016, slipping 28.6% on quarter and 8.6% on year. In addition to iPad models, the shipments will include 21.5 million tablets to be launched by brand vendors, and 15.4 million units by white-box vendors, sequentially decreasing 25.9% and 24.1%, respectively.

Apple will account for 21% of global shipments, followed by Samsung Electronics with 14%, Lenovo 7.2%, Amazon 5.8%, Huawei Device 4%, Asustek Computer 2.7%, Microsoft and TCL each with 2.6%, LG Electronics 1.8% and Acer 1.2%.

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