Apple's iPad Mini Wifi 16GB with a 7.9 inch screen. Vietnamese customers have a high demand of low-cost small-screen tablets in the first five months of the year, GfK market research agency said. — Photo thegioididong.com

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — About 582,000 tablets were sold in Viet Nam in the first five months of the year, registering a 34 per cent year-on-year increase, GfK market research agency said.

In a report released on July 6, GfK said the growth was fuelled by high demands for low-cost small-screen tablets.

As many as 76 per cent of the tablets were priced lower than US$300, compared with 50 per cent during the same period last year. In the high-end segment, tablets costing more than $500 accounted for 14 per cent, compared with 29 per cent in the same period last year.

In the middle segment, tablets costing $300 to $500 comprised 11 per cent of the sold units, marking a 11 per cent year-on-year fall. The number of brands in the Vietnamese tablet market dropped from 56 to 49.

Customers preferred tablets with screens measuring 7.9 inches or smaller. Seven out of 10 tablets sold during the period were of this segment, higher than that in 2014.

GfK Vietnam Managing Director Tran Khoa Van said the tablet market would witness higher sales in the third quarter with many promotions to be offered on the occasion of the opening of the school year in September. He said the sales of tablets this year might reach about 1.9 million units. — VNS