When the iPad Pro Outsold Microsoft Surface Tablets in Q4 2015

In early February 2016, market intelligence firm IDC published fourth-quarter 2015 tablet shipment data, revealing that Apple's newly introduced 12.9-inch iPad Pro had outshipped Microsoft's entire Surface detachable lineup in its debut quarter.

Tablet Market Contraction vs Detachable Growth

While overall worldwide tablet shipments fell 13.7 percent year-over-year in Q4 2015 to 65.9 million units, the "detachable" category (tablets paired with official keyboard accessories) achieved an all-time record of 8.1 million units. Consumers increasingly viewed detachable devices as viable productivity replacements for lightweight laptops.

Head-to-Head Numbers

IDC estimated that Apple shipped approximately two million iPad Pro units during Q4 2015, compared to 1.6 million Surface devices shipped by Microsoft (predominantly Surface Pro models). The data confirmed that consumers were willing to invest in premium pricing when hardware offered compelling creative and productivity capabilities.