The 8 inch tablet might just become mainstream and impact on the sames of both 10.1 inch and 7 inch tablets. This is according to Taiwan tablet makers who say that since Samsung developed the high value Galaxy Note 8, Acer and Micro-Star International also came in with their version of 8 inch tablets. Now HP, LG Electronics Lenovo and Asustek are expected to follow suit. The 8 inch tablets falls smack in the center as the ideal mobility tablet with large screen and a form factor that is easy to hold with one hand and operate with the other.
The result of introduction of 8 inch tablets is decreased sales of both 7 inch and 10.1 inch tablets as the 8 inch proves more usable.
The iPad mini currently has the strongest sales among 8-inch tablets, but as non-Apple vendors will continue lowering their prices to gain advantages, the vendors are confident about future demand.
HP is said to be in plans to outsourse BYD, a Chinese ODM to develop an 8 inch ODM as 8 inch tablets have proved to be very popular. Asustek has already developed a tablet and is set to launch the tablet within this half of the year. Acer also has an 8 inch Windows 8 tablet in the works for release within this second half of the year too.
Source: Digitimes
