2011 was predicted to be the year of the tablet computer. So far – at least from Samsung’s perspective – 2011 has been the year of tablet returns.
According to the findings of a new survey from ITG Investment Research, the Samsung Galaxy Tab return rate is substantial, and vastly outpaces the rate at which Apple customers return their iPad.
ITG Investment Research tracked point-of-sale data from nearly 6,000 wireless stores in the U.S. from the Galaxy Tab’s November debut through Jan. 15 and found the device to have an unusually high return rate.
Digital Daily reports that 16% of Galaxy Tab buyers have returned their tablet. Conversely, only 2% of iPad buyers have done the same.
In December 2010, the return rate for the Galaxy Tab was roughly 13%. That rate jumped above 15% by early January.
In response to the Galaxy Tab’s return rate, the New York Post blasted Samsung’s answer to the iPad, pejoratively suggesting that it should be called the “boomerang” in light of how frequently it returns to the store from which it was purchased.
In Samsung’s defense, however, the tablet return rate is indicative of larger problems with Android, not just Samsung. Rhoda Alexander, an iSuppli analyst agrees, saying “There are a lot of issues with Android tablets, not just Samsung.”
Many Wall Street analysts still maintain that 2011 will be the year when Android tablets finally “make a dent in the iPad’s dominance.”
