Global tablet sales in the second quarter of 2013, due to off-season effects and consumers deferring purchases in anticipation of new models to be launched in the third quarter, are likely to decrease by 20-30% from 49.2 million units sold in the first quarter based on IDC statistics, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.

　　Among first-tier tablet vendors, Apple's overall iPad sales are expected to suffer a decline in the second quarter. In addition to a sales drop for the 9.7-inch iPad, iPad mini sales are also expected to see a sequential decrease of 20-30% due to excess inventories and seasonal factors.

　　Sources from panel players also noted that panel shipments for iPad mini in the second quarter are expected to drop sharply from the original forecast of 10-12 million units to only 8-9 million.

　　As for Samsung Electronics, the company's success in achieving strong tablet shipments in the first quarter was mainly due to price promotions of its 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2, down from US$199 to US$179 in the North America region.

　　However, as many brand vendors have released tablets featuring an even better price/performance ratio, Samsung's tablet shipment performance may be impacted in the second quarter, the sources said.

　　Although Amazon is also likely to be impacted by off-season effects in the second quarter, since the company is expected to release a new 7-inch tablet in July and expand its Kindle Store to more countries, there will be a good chance that the company will attract demand away from its competitors in the second half, the sources added.