iPad 3 Release Date: Kindle Fire a Valid Competitor to iPad

Analysts expect the iPad 3 to launch next year, but with other devices such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire gaining attention with its lower price, some wonder if Apple’s reign will end.

In a new survey compiled by RBC Capital Markets, 26 percent of customers pre-ordered a Kindle Fire or they are considering buying the tablet over the iPad.

Apple’s potential for future sales seems to be declining, according to the survey’s results.

Another factor indicated by the data is that customers do not want to shell out loads of cash to get their hands on a tablet. The 16 GB iPad 2 currently retails at $499 while the Kindle Fire at $199 proves to be a much more affordable alternative in the future.

The survey revealed disinterest in the iPad among consumers, and it showed a strong overall interest in the new Kindle Fire tab. According to the survey, 5 percent of consumers surveyed already pre-ordered the device or are strongly considering buying one.

This number is comparable to another survey taken in February 2010 that showed 4 percent of those who registered had the same intentions for buying the iPad shortly before its initial release.

The market underwent drastic changes over the past few years including the addition of many companies’ tablets, such as HP’s TouchPad, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and RIM’s Playbook.

The competition for the iPad grew at a rapid pace since the original version’s launch; making the iPad 3 enter a more saturated market in 2012.