Strategy Analytics has released figures to show that global tablet shipments hit 40.6 million in Q1 2013, rising 117 per cent year-on-year from just 18.7m in 2012.
Apple continues to lead the market and bagged a 48.2 per cent share during the quarter, although that's down from the 63.1 per cent stronghold it commanded last year.
The figures have declined thanks to Android and Windows 8 tablets giving consumers more options to choose from, though growth of Microsoft-powered devices are said to be inhibited by high-end apps and market confusion.
Peter King, director of tablets at Strategy Analytics, said: "Demand for tablets among consumer, business and education users remains strong. Apple produced a solid performance this quarter as the Mini had its first full term and shipped a robust 19.5 million mixed iPads worldwide maintaining market leadership with 48 percent share during the first quarter of 2013.
"Android captured a record 43 percent share of global branded tablet shipments in Q1 2013, rising from 34 percent a year earlier. Global Android tablet shipments increase 177 per cent annually to 17.6 million units."