The global market for tablet computers surged in the second quarter of 2020, despite pandemic conditions, as the global market for the devices jumped 17%, the largest gain in six years.

That’s according to a survey released this week by Strategy Analytics, which found that Apple maintains its lead, while the five largest manufacturers all posting double-digit gains.

Strategy Analytics’ Preliminary Global Tablet Shipments and Market Share: Q2 2020 Results found that Apple remains the top global tablet brand with 14.3 million iPad units sold, representing a 34% increase. Samsung was second, with 6.9 million units, and 40% growth, while Huawei was third, with 4.9 million and a 45% increase. Lenovo was fourth, with 2.8 million, but with growth of 51%.

In terms of market share, Apple led with 33%, followed by Samsung with 15.9%, Huawei with 11.3%, Lenovo with 6.5% and Amazon with 6.3%. While the “others” category consisted of 27%, each of the top five brands increased their market share since the second quarter of 2019.

In terms of operating systems, Android maintained the lead with 54.5% of the market, followed by iOS with 33% and Windows with 12%. Most of the major brands, with the exception of Apple and Microsoft, use Android operating systems. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+, unvealed at its Unpacked event this week will be the first two 5G-equipped tablets available in the United States.

Chirag Upadhyay, Strategy Analytics’ senior research analyst, attributed Apple’s success to the high sales of the new iPad Pro models, while Microsoft’s new Surface devices and Amazon’s new Fire HD 8 also showed success in the quarter.

“As COVID-19 is still uncontained in some of the largest markets in the world and research shows certain workers and companies are getting used to remote work, it’s safe to say this won’t be a temporary change in demand,” Eric Smith, director of Connected Computing, said in the release. “Tablets have evolved from the simple entertainment slate of the boom years into devices more capable of handling work and school tasks, which has broadened the choices consumers and commercial clients face when upgrading or buying new devices for the new normal.”

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters