4m expect to buy or receive a tablet this Christmas

More than four million people will buy or receive a tablet this Christmas, according to a new online study from YouGov, commissioned by Newsworks.

For the second year running, predictions of a ‘tab-tastic’ Christmas in the UK are likely to be proved correct, with current ownership up to almost 40% to a total figure of 16.5 million.

The research expects that 35-44 year olds are the most likely to buy a tablet as a gift this Christmas (12%), while 18-24 year olds are most hopeful about receiving one.

Despite Christmas being just over a week away, 21% of consumers intending to buy a tablet still haven’t decided which brand they are going to purchase.

However, it looks set to be a strong Christmas for lower-cost tablets from brands such as Tesco, Argos and Carphone Warehouse, as the research reveals that six out of 10 buyers expect to spend under £200 on a tablet.

17% of hopeful recipients think that Tesco’s Hudle, priced at £119, will be in their stocking this Christmas; however, its success may be hampered by supply issues, having sold out in recent weeks and being out of stock on the retailer’s website on Cyber Monday (2 December).

Just 9% said that they expect to spend over £400.