Smaller tablets have been dominating the consumer space over the past year with devices like the Nexus 7 topping the best-seller list. However, if a recent market research report is to be believed, then the 7-inch tablets will soon be giving way to 8-inch ones.

According to a WitsView report, 8-inch tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, Nexus 7.7 and more will replace the 7-inch ones, owing to their bigger screens.

"Eight-inch tablet computers will likely replace 7-inch tablets in the market because of their bigger screens and the increasingly narrow margins companies are generating on the smaller-sized tablet, according to a market research company," reports Focus Taiwan.

The WitsView market research report reveals that 8-inch tablets will account for 11.9 percent of the total market share by the end of 2013, which is a jump from 2.6 percent in 2012. This percentage increase is aided by the fact that several manufacturers like ASUS, Samsung and Lenovo are slated to launch 8-inch tablets this year.

One of the primary reasons for 7-inch tablets losing popularity is that the consumer market has become oversaturated. Pretty much every manufacturer has a smaller tablet vying for consumers' attention. Moreover, 8-inch tablets are seen as a better value for money (case in point, the iPad mini).

Android tablets could also rout the iPad mini (or its successor, the iPad mini 2), as they will be priced $50 to $100 cheaper.

WitsView's R&D Director Chiu Yu-pin is of the opinion that "the 8-inch tablet's major appeal in the market will be as a replacement for the 7-inch device, which has become less profitable for vendors amid fierce price competition as more models hit the market," says Focus Taiwan.

WitsView forecasts that 8-inch tablets will account for nearly 4.5 percent of global shipments in H1 2013. However, the share is estimated to rise to 17.6 percent in H2 2013 as several brands like HP, Samsung, Acer, Lenovo and ASUS would likely launch their 8-inch tablets.