DisplaySearch has lowered its 2014 global tablet shipment forecast to 285 million units, representing an 14% on-year increase, while WitsView has also lowered its forecast to 205.5 million units, growing less than 5%.

Market observers said market intelligence firms are dropping their forecasts as tablet technology is maturing in mature economies and as white-box units are facing less-than-expected sales in emerging economies.

Tablets in the 7-inch segment in particular are taking hits due to increased popularity for smartphones in the 5- and even 6-inch segments, the observers added.

Vendors are likely to bump up their proportion of 8- to 10.9-inch units throughout 2018 in addition to releasing various 11- and 12-inch units, the observers added.