Since the launch of Apple’s (AAPL) iPad mini in the fall of 2012, LCD panel shipments have shifted dramatically to smaller screen sizes. Display Search found that shipments of 9.7-inch screen panels have fallen a whopping 6.1 million units from December, while 7-inch and 7.9-inch panels grew from 12 million units to 14 million. It’s interesting to note that while the iPad mini seems to be cannibalizing sales from the full-sized iPad, shipments of 10.1-inch displays have actually increased since December.
The research firm predicts that shipments of tablet panels will increase to 254 million in 2013, up from 160 million in 2012. The 5-inch to 8.9-inch range is expected to account for 136 million units, while the 9-inch to 10-inch range will total 118 million. Display Search notes that it will be interesting to see if phone and tablet hybrids, or “phablets,” begin to cannibalize sales of smaller tablets in the future.
