Apple has recently cooperated with US-based retailers including Best Buy and Amazon to cut its iPad mini prices. Channel retailers believe other brand vendors may follow suit to maintain their market shares.

Amazon's 16GB iPad mini is now priced at US$240, while Best Buy is selling the same model for US$199, down US$100 from the original price. The price drops are expected to boost demand for the device, the channel retailers said.

Sources from Taiwan-based tablet players pointed out that Apple sold 16.4 million and 13.28 million tablets in the first and second quarters, respectively. Since its tablet shipments in the third quarter may be in danger of dropping to around 10 million units as its new products will not become available until a later time, the sources believe the price cuts should ease the shipment declines.

Although Samsung Electronics recently cut its 7-inch Galaxy Tab 4 to US$169, the iPad mini's price drop may trigger further reductions to maintain competitiveness, while other vendors may also adjust their prices to maintain sales.

gazeta.ru