(Image source from: manufacturing.economictimes.indiatimes.com)
India's tablet manufacturers delivered 1.33 million units in the third quarter of 2025, showing a drop of 19.7 percent compared to the same period last year, as reported by the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker. This category includes both slate and detachable tablets, with detachable models increasing by 7.3 percent, but the overall growth was overshadowed by a significant 29.4 percent decline in slate tablets. IDC states that this drop was mainly due to a major fall in demand from businesses, even though there was a notable increase in consumer interest, the highest seen in over ten years. The consumer market expanded by 13.5 percent year-over-year, driven by demand during festive seasons, strong promotional deals, incentives from banks, and updated product selections, according to the IDC report. Vendors aggressively pushed products into distribution to take advantage of online shopping periods. This robust performance contrasts with the weakening demand from the commercial sector. IDC also noted that online sales continue to grow, with e-commerce showing a 53.9 percent increase from the previous year.
Shipments of tablets for commercial use fell 53.5 percent compared to last year, making it the hardest-hit area. Sales in the education sector dropped by 61.9 percent, while purchases by small businesses decreased by 47.9 percent. The decline reflects delays in education-related contracts, tighter budgets for small and medium businesses, and longer times for replacing devices. Priyansh Tiwari, a research analyst at IDC India & South Asia, shared that festive online sales significantly boosted tablet usage, especially in smaller towns. He highlighted that tablets are now used not just for entertainment but also for productivity when paired with accessories like keyboards and styluses. Despite this growth, Tiwari pointed out that inventory levels in the channels are still high and may need adjustments, although strong sales indicate ongoing strength in the consumer market.
In the third quarter of 2025, Samsung kept its top position with a 37.5 percent share of the market. It led in both the commercial sector with 49.7 percent and the consumer sector with 32.6 percent, bolstered by public-sector education projects and a strong online presence. Lenovo came in second with 16.8 percent, gaining ground through a 19.3 percent share in the consumer market while strengthening its enterprise appeal thanks to Motorola-branded tablets aimed at younger users. Xiaomi ranked third with a 15.5 percent share, fueled by a 21.8 percent stake in the consumer market. The brand capitalized on competitive pricing, appealing exchange offers, and bundled accessories during big online sales. Apple held fourth place with 9.2 percent, maintaining demand in the business and education sectors despite competition from Android devices. Acer rounded out the top five with 7.9 percent, supported by the completion of educational projects and a strong 26.4 percent presence in the commercial sector.
Looking ahead, Bharath Shenoy, a research manager at IDC India & South Asia, expressed that the tablet market in India remains strong. He observed that tablets are transforming into versatile, AI-enhanced productivity tools that provide more customized workflows. With PC prices expected to rise further, tablets may become an appealing option for new buyers and a cost-effective choice for government-led initiatives.
