The Nexus 7’s Price Tag Makes It A Better Buy Than The iPad For Tablet Users In Japan

(9:07 am PDT, Jan 17th)

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The iPad may be the king of tablets in some markets, but Apple’s device cannot compete with the Nexus 7 in Japan. Its premium price tag is causing tablet buyers to opt for Google’s 7-inch slate instead, despite its smaller display and lack of a rear-facing camera. One survey of Japanese electronics stores has found that the Nexus 7 has claimed 44.4% of the tablet market.

Market research firm BCN surveyed 2,400 consumer electronics stores throughout Japan back in December, and found that Apple’s iPad only claimed around 40.1% of the market, versus the Nexus 7’s 44.4%. Unsurprisingly, one of things that was most appealing to customers with Google’s slate is its inexpensive price tag.

The Nexus 7 is around $100 less than the cheapest iPad mini in Japan, according to CNET. In the United States, Google’s device starts at $199, while the cheapest iPad mini is $329.

The survey did note, however, that there has been a shortage of iPad mini supplies in Japan, which means the device hasn’t been easy to get hold of for some customers. This could be one of the reasons why the Nexus 7 has recently been more popular there, but the price differences are said to be the biggest factor for consumers.

Of course, you could argue that store surveys aren’t the most accurate way to determine tablet market share. But 2,400 stores would certainly give a good indication of which devices consumers are opting for.

More than 3.6 million tablets were sold in Japan during 2012, and that figure is expected to rise to 4.9 million in 2013, according to figures from IDC.

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  • peteo

    These numbers are bound to be proven False. The numbers do not include apple store or online store numbers. Also this story is from the nikkie, the same one that published the 50% iPhone order drop rumor Monday. This story was created to keep the stock price down before earnings

  • lucascott

    These numbers are totally fishy. They have provided no deets about what stores, which sell what items. How many units over what period, if returns were factored in.

    And there is likely a huge false conclusion in this. They are likely looking at sales during a strict period and assuming that number reflects total ownership. The truth could be that they didn’t count any Apple stores/resellers and most of the other stores were sold out of their limited stock the week before this survey was done so they didn’t have hundreds to sell like they did last week.

    • mahadragon

      Quit drinking the iKool Aid, how could the numbers be fishy? Android has been eating iOS’s lunch not only in Japan but in many other asian countries as well. Pull your head out of your arse. Why do you think there was so much attention about Apple’s intentions to make a low cost iPhone? Answer: to gain market share!

      And this is coming from the owner of a 5th gen iPod, 5th gen iPod Touch, two 20″ Apple Cinema displays, and a soon to be owner of the new 27″ iMac (with fusion drive). Yes, I love Apple, but I’m living in the real world.

      It’s a cultural thing. You people don’t understand asians. We compete on price. Always have and always will. If someone can offer a similar item for half the price it’s sold.

      • lucascott

        “Why do you think there was so much attention about Apple’s intentions to make a low cost iPhone? Answer: to gain market share!”

        You mean attention about the rumors that Apple intends to make a low cost iPhone. There’s no proof to any of that as the sources are just as fishy.

        Seems to me that you are the one suffering head up your arse syndrome because you refuse to use some reading comprehension and logic to recognize that this report has major inherent flaws as do many such reports and rumors. But hey if you like your head up there who am I to tell you to pull it out.

  • mahadragon

    Not the first I’ve read about iOS taking a back seat to Android in an Asian country. It’s actually the norm, especially since iPhones are not subsidized so people are paying full boat for it. Tablets are obviously different, or are they? One of the reasons Americans buy iOS device is because they have better quality apps.

    As typical of the incredibly ignorant media, they only analyze the hardware of the Nexus 7 (smaller screen, lack of rear screen camera) but do not go into the software aspect which is equally as important.

    It’s unfortunate I don’t have any info on this and never will because the ignorant media will never demand it, but I’d like to know how many iOS apps are optimized for Japanese use? Don’t tell me it’s not a factor, because it has to be a factor.

    There must be more Android apps for Japanese use than iOS. I can’t verify this but I’m making an educated guess. And if indeed, there are more Android apps, then it would only make sense to buy a tablet that not only has a greater quantity and quality of apps, but a lower price to boot.

About the author

Killian BellKillian Bell is a freelance writer based in the UK. He has an interest in all things tech and also writes for TechnoBuffalo. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell, or through his website.

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