A new report from industry research firm IDC has highlighted the fact that the tablet market is no longer witnessing super-strong growth; even though tablets still continue to be popular devices.

According to the figures shared by IDC, the slow growth rate of tablets is evident from the fact that while tablet shipments in 2013 saw a notable growth of 51.8 percent; tablet shipments in 2014 are projected to witness a growth of barely 12.1 percent. As per IDC's projections, tablets will account for 254.4 million units in 2014, which marks 6.5 million fewer units than what the firm has previously estimated.

Projecting a slower growth rate for tablets this year, the IDC report has asserted that the drop in tablet growth rate is apparently a result of demand for 'phablets' - that is, smartphones which have big screens.

Forecasting that the increasing popularity of 'phablets' will deliver a further blow to the small-screen tablets or mini tablets, IDC has revealed that while the 7- and 8-inch tablets accounted for 55 percent of the total tablet shipments in 2013, the number is likely to plunge to around 44.5 percent by 2018.

However, IDC also projected that 'jumbo' tablets - such as Microsoft's new Surface Pro 3 tablet - apparently have better prospects than their 'mini' counterparts. The firm has explained that the niche market which the jumbo tablets cater to has been growing of late; and these tablets also offer much better margins for the manufacturers.