Could This Be a Threat to Apple Inc. (AAPL) in 2013?

Last week, we brought you this story about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad data usage. If you have yet to check out this article, take the time to do so. It will give you a better idea of where the tablet stands right now in regards to the competition.

While there is no denying the fact that the Apple iPad lineup is top dog in the tablet market, this doesn’t mean the competition is going to roll over and die. Instead, there are many companies fighting for market share with more to come in the near future.

One story we want to keep an eye on is the number of white-box tablets that are storming the market.

This is something Digitimes has touched on recently, and it is a story that is definitely worth watching as it continues to develop.

Here is what you need to know:

“Boosted by orders from unbranded, white-box China-based vendors, global demand for tablet panels is exceeding expectations, spurring research firm IHS to increase its forecast for displays by 6% for 2013.”

This is good news for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in one way: it means that tablet shipments are growing, showing that the market as a whole is doing the same. As the clear number one, this could mean better sales numbers in the months to come.

On the other side of things, one has to wonder if consumers in some markets will begin to turn to white-box tablets as a means of saving money.

Ricky Park, senior manager for large-area displays at HIS, added the following:

“Competitive dynamics in the tablet market have changed dramatically this year as China-based white-box smartphone vendors have entered the tablet market in droves. These companies are producing massive quantities of entry-level tablets that appeal to consumers in China and other developing economies. Because of this, the white-box manufacturers are driving up demand for tablet panels, particularly smaller displays using older TN technology, rather than the newer screens using in-plane switching (IPS) technology.”

While Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continues do to its thing, unbranded tablet makers are making waves as these companies purchased 40 percent of panels during April 2013. This is a 23 percent increase over the first quarter of 2012.

This does not spell doom for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) in any way, shape, or form. What it does show, however, is that there are more options coming to market.