Almost 450,000 tablets were sold in Malaysia between 1 January and 31 May 2013, 61 per cent up on the corresponding period in 2012, according to figures from GfK. The figures reveal that an average of 78,000 tablets were sold each month, with sales peaking in May, when 97,000 were sold.

It’s likely that demand has been fuelled by falling prices. The average price of a tablet in May 2013 was $397 (£260), compared to $497 in June 2012.

“The immense popularity of tablets in Malaysia and around the region has created much buzz in the market, and has intensified competition among key players, who are offering new models and attractive promotions in their quest for share of the consumer dollar,” said Selinna Chin, GfK’s managing director for Malaysia. “For instance, smaller tablets have started surging in popularity recently, thanks to lower prices, driven by stiff competition in the market.”

In the first five months of 2013, demand for tablets with screen sizes of 7 inches and below has grown, from 37,000 units in January to around 57,000 in May. Once again, demand has been fuelled by falling prices, from $474 in January, to $397 in May. This growth has, however, impacted sales of tablets with screen sizes of 8 – 9.9 inches, whose market share has fallen from 38 per cent in 2012, to 16 per cent this year.

Another notable trend is the increase in popularity of wi-fi-only models, whose market share has risen from 22 per cent between June 2012 and November 2012, to 25 per cent between December 2012 and May 2013.

According to the GfK’s figures, in May, the Malaysian tablet landscape consists of 142 tablet models, spanning 44 local and international brands.