Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
IDC estimated that tablet-PC shipments in China reached approximately 6.14 million units in the fourth quarter of 2020, up 5.6% from a year earlier. Apple led the market, followed by Huawei. The headline growth concealed a sharp split by device type: traditional slate shipments fell while keyboard-supported detachables climbed.
What the 6.14 million figure measures
The figure covers tablet-PC shipments in China from October through December 2020, as reported from IDC tracking data. It is an estimate of devices shipped into the distribution channel, not a count of tablets purchased by consumers during the quarter, revenue, or active users. The China-specific figures were reported by outlets citing IDC; the global IDC release described its own Q4 figures as preliminary.
IDC’s tablet-PC categories include traditional slate tablets and detachable or keyboard-supported tablet computers. Those detachables are a product category, not an accessory-attachment count: the classification does not establish that every device shipped with a keyboard in the box.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
China grew, but more slowly than the global market
IDC’s reported China total was approximately 6.14 million units, 5.6% higher year over year. By comparison, worldwide tablet shipments reached approximately 52.2 million units in Q4 2020, up 19.5%, according to IDC’s global release. Comparing those totals directly, China represented about 11.8% of worldwide shipment volume; that is a calculation from rounded figures, not a separately reported market-share statistic. IDC’s worldwide Q4 2020 release attributed global demand growth in part to remote work and online learning.
#1 Best Overall
- POWER YOUR STUDY, FUEL YOUR PLAY – Discover smarter learning with the Lenovo Idea Tab. Stay campus-ready with all-day battery life, AI-powered apps to enhance your work, and sharp graphics for tv marathons with friends.
- SMOOTH, POWERFUL, IMMERSIVE – The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor is more powerful than ever, with the AI-enhanced multitasking you need to stay ahead.
- CIRCLE IT, SEARCH IT – Use your Lenovo Tab Pen or fingertip to circle items for instant search results or to translate other languages without switching apps. Circle to Search with Google ensures answers are only a circle away.
- SHARP VIEW, CLEAR SOUND – Experience sharp visuals and immersive sound for study sessions and streaming breaks. With 72% NTSC and quad Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers you can enjoy your study breaks with vivid videos and crystal-clear sound.
- LEVEL UP YOUR STUDY – Write, organize, sketch, and calculate with four learning apps built to match your flow. Lenovo AI Note, Squid, Nebo, and MyScript Calculator help you stay clear, focused, and ready for every study session.
The year-over-year comparison implies a Q4 2019 China base of roughly 5.81 million units (6.14 million divided by 1.056). A separate report on IDC’s Q4 2019 China data also put shipments at approximately 5.81 million, then down 3.9% year over year. The implied comparison and the earlier reported figure are approximate because the totals are rounded. ChinaTechNews’ account of the Q4 2019 estimate provides that earlier context.
The product mix tells the more revealing story
Slates and detachable tablets moved in opposite directions. Figures reported from IDC’s China tracker show that the expanding category was large enough to offset the contraction in conventional slates.
Rank #2
- COMPACT SIZE, COMPACT FUN – The Lenovo Tab One is compact, efficient, and provides non-stop entertainment everywhere you go. It’s lightweight and has a long-lasting battery life so the fun never stops.
- SIMPLICITY IN HAND - Add a touch of style with a modern design that’s tailor-made to fit in your hand. It weighs less than a pound and has an 8.7” display that’s easy to tuck in a purse or backpack.
- NON-STOPPABLE FUN – Freedom never felt so sweet with all-day battery life and up to 12.5 hours of unplugged YouTube streaming. It’s designed to charge 15W faster than previous models so you can spend less time tethered to a power cable.
- PORTABLE MEDIA CENTER - Enjoy vibrant visuals, immersive sound, and endless entertainment anywhere you go. The HD display has 480 nits of brightness for realistic graphics and dual Dolby Atmos speakers that provide impressive sound depth.
- ELEVATED EFFICIENCY - Experience the MediaTek Helio G85 processor and 60Hz refresh rate that ensure fluid browsing, responsive gaming, and lag-free streaming.
| Tablet category | Q4 2020 shipments | Year-over-year change | Approximate share of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional slate | 2.47 million | −16.7% | 40.2% |
| Keyboard-supported or detachable | 3.67 million | +28.8% | 59.8% |
| Total | 6.14 million | +5.6% | 100% |
The category totals add to the reported market total. Shares are calculated from those rounded shipment figures. The shift is consistent with demand for devices that could serve study and work tasks as well as media use, while laptop shortages made alternative computing devices more relevant. It does not show that detachables permanently replaced notebooks: a single quarter’s shipment mix cannot establish long-term substitution or ownership behavior. IDC’s global commentary likewise reported worldwide detachable growth of 27.9% in Q4 2020, citing productivity and flexibility among the factors supporting demand. The reported China tracker figures contain the local category breakdown.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Apple led; Huawei fell and Lenovo grew from a smaller base
The reported vendor figures show a wide gap between the two leaders, followed by much smaller shipment totals for Lenovo and Microsoft.
Rank #3
- 【Dual-Function 2-in-1 Tablet】URAO Android 16 Tablet is a game-changer with 2-in-1 professional work mode. The tablet is compatible with a Bluetooth keyboard, mouse, stylus, headset, and a convenient foldable case. The setup and connection process is straight forward, enabling you to effortlessly transform your tablet into either a laptop or a computer mode. Friendly Tips: Mouse does not come with batteries.
- 【Android 16 & Octa-Core Processor】URAO Android tablet features the latest operating system Android 16 and an 1.8 GHz octa-core processor ensure of excellent performance, seamless multitasking, getting rid of annoying ads, emphasizing privacy and security by designing enhanced app permissions, providing you complete management control.
- 【36GB (6+30GB) RAM 128GB ROM 】Our 11 inch tablet comes with 36GB (6+30GB) RAM 128GB ROM and maximun 1TB TF card ( not included )expandable ensures you of a fast APP launch and smooth gaming experience. URAO tablet also come with pre-installed Google Play Store, you can easily download any needed Apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.
- 【7800mAh Battery with Fast Charge】The built-in large capacity and low consumption CPU enable our URAO 11 inch tablet to stand by for up to 3 days and allows you to enjoy up to 8 hours of mixed reading, watching TV shows, playing games, surfing the web. URAO tablet adopts fast-charging technology ,easily charge via the USB Type-C port and rest assured the battery will last. It is a good companion for you to play and study!
- 【Wi-Fi 6+Bluetooth5.4】URAO 11 inch android tablet adopts the lastest sixth generation WiFi technology and the upgraded bluetooth 5.4. Dual band integrated chips make the 5g WiFi and 2.4g WiFi more stable and the lastest bluetooth 5.4 connection supports all your favorite accessories, highly increased the speed of data transfer, improved network capacity and reduced network delays.
| Vendor | Shipments | Market share | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Approximately 2.64 million | 43.0% | +29.2% |
| Huawei | Approximately 1.65 million | 26.9% | −27.3% |
| Lenovo | Approximately 320,000 | 6.4% | +105.6% |
| Microsoft | Approximately 130,000 | 2.1% | +4.3% |
Apple’s rounded shipment total was about 990,000 units above Huawei’s, and its share lead was 16.1 percentage points. The four reported shares sum to 78.4%; the remaining approximately 21.6% was divided among other manufacturers, not one residual vendor. Small differences between shipments and share calculations are expected because reported figures are rounded. These are shipment shares, not shares of Chinese tablet owners, retail spending, or end-user purchases. The vendor figures were reported by EEWorld and summarized in China Daily.
Apple’s lead did not mean supply was unconstrained
Apple’s shipments rose 29.2% year over year, leaving it well ahead of Huawei. Reports also said component shortages, including power-management components, constrained iPad availability and limited how much demand Apple could capture. Leadership describes Apple’s position relative to other vendors in shipments; it does not mean the company could meet all potential demand.
Rank #4
- 【Android 16 OS & High-Performance CPU】 Evermyth GMS-certified tablet runs on the Android 16 operating system, allowing direct downloads of popular apps from the Play Store. Powered by a robust 5-core processor that hits speeds up to 1.8GHz, the android tablet is engineered to boost multitasking performance. Whether you’re working, watching videos, or gaming, this 5-core tablet pc operates seamlessly, delivering a fast, professional-grade experience.
- 【24GB RAM + 64GB ROM + 1TB Expandable Storage】 Our 10 inch electronics tablets comes with 24GB RAM (3GB physical + 21GB virtual), 64GB ROM, and supports up to 1TB of expandable storage via a TF card (not included). This ensures quick app launches and smooth gameplay.
- 【10 inch HD IPS In-Cell Display】 This tablet PC boasts a 1280×800 high-resolution IPS screen that delivers vibrant, true-to-life colors. Enjoy sharper, brighter visuals for a more immersive viewing experience. The 5MP front and 8MP rear camera can handle video calls and photo recording with ease. LCD touchscreen uses low-blue-light tech to cut down on eye strain from screen flicker and harsh blue light. Slim and lightweight, this 10-inch tablet amps up immersion for all your favorite activities.
- 【6000mAh Rechargeable Battery】 Electronics tablets Packed with a 6000mAh battery and a low-power-consuming CPU, Evermyth 10 inch tablet offers up to 3 days of standby time and up to 8 hours of mixed usage—perfect for reading, streaming, or web browsing. Charging is a breeze via the USB-C port, making the tablet an ideal companion for both entertainment and work!
- 【Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.4】 Evermyth Android 16 tablet features the latest Wi-Fi 6 and upgraded Bluetooth 5.4. It supports dual-band (5GHz/2.4GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity for stable, high-speed transfers. Bluetooth 5.4 ensures seamless compatibility with all your favorite accessories.
Huawei’s decline had more than one reported factor
Huawei remained second, with 1.65 million shipments and a 26.9% share, but its shipments fell 27.3% year over year. Reports cited the effect of U.S. government sanctions on component access and supply, alongside difficulty meeting demand during the year-end promotional period. Supply constraints involving Huawei and the then-independent Honor business were also reported. These accounts identify contributing pressures, not proof that sanctions alone caused the decline.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Lenovo’s percentage growth started from a modest volume
Lenovo recorded the fastest growth among the four vendors shown, at 105.6%, but shipped approximately 320,000 units—far below Apple and Huawei in absolute volume. The reported explanation included 64.0% year-over-year growth in Lenovo’s commercial business, stronger consumer performance after the Xiaoxin Pad Pro and Xiaoxin Pad launches, and better supply availability than some leading competitors. A high growth rate from a small base does not put Lenovo near the leaders in shipments.
Best Value
- Do what you love, uninterrupted — 25% faster performance than the previous generation and is ideal for seamless streaming, reading, and gaming.
- High-def entertainment — A 10.1" 1080p Full HD display brings brilliant color to all your shows and games. Binge watch longer with 13-hour battery, 3 or 4 GB RAM, 32 or 64 GB of storage, and up to 1 TB expandable storage with micro-SD card (sold separately).
- Thin, light, durable — Tap into entertainment from anywhere with a lightweight, durable design and strengthened glass made from aluminosilicate glass. As measured in a tumble test, Fire HD 10 is 2.7 times as durable as the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2022).
- Stay up to speed — Use the 5 MP front-facing camera to Zoom with family and friends, or create content for social apps like Instagram and TikTok.
- Ready when inspiration strikes — With 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, the Made for Amazon Stylus Pen (sold separately) offers a natural writing experience that responds to your handwriting. Use it to write, sketch in apps like OneNote, and more.
Why China’s growth lagged the global rate
China’s 5.6% increase was positive, but it was well below the 19.5% global rate. Reporting on the Chinese market pointed to the end of major procurement tied to the national census project and supply shortages at leading brands as factors weighing on the local comparison. Online education and entertainment supported demand in China, while global growth was strongly associated with work-from-home and online-learning needs. The available explanations do not isolate a single cause for the difference, and the global and China figures come from separate published presentations of IDC tracking data.
How to interpret this historical result
- It is a shipment estimate, not audited sell-through. Units entering the channel may be purchased by end users later, so the total should not be restated as consumer sales.
- It describes Q4 2020, not the current market. The China result was reported in early February 2021 and belongs to the pandemic-era market conditions of that period.
- Category labels matter. Detachable or keyboard-supported tablets are not necessarily defined identically by every research firm, and the China figures should be read using IDC’s product classification.
- One quarter cannot establish a permanent shift. The strong detachable result signals a mix change during this period, not proof that tablets displaced laptops over the long term.
The useful takeaway is not simply that China crossed six million units. The market expanded modestly overall while shifting toward detachable, productivity-oriented devices—a change occurring amid uneven brand supply and a global tablet rebound that was considerably stronger than China’s.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
