The Indian tablet market witnessed a significant slowdown in the first half of 2025, with shipments falling 32.2 percent year-on-year, according to data from the International Data Corporation (IDC). Despite the dip, a total of 2.15 million units were shipped in the six-month period. Interestingly, even in a shrinking market, some brands managed to strengthen their dominance, with Samsung emerging as the clear leader.

IDC data shows that Samsung, driven by strong online promotions and aggressive sales strategies, captured a commanding 41.3 percent share of the market—leaving behind rivals Lenovo and Apple. Lenovo secured second place with a 12.3 percent share, while Apple slipped to third with 11.8 percent. Xiaomi followed closely at 11.4 percent, and Acer rounded out the top five with 9.1 percent.

The steep fall in shipments was largely due to weaker commercial demand, particularly the sharp reduction in government-backed education initiatives, which have historically boosted tablet sales. In the April-June quarter alone (2Q25), shipments dropped 42.1 percent year-on-year, while the January-March quarter recorded an 18.4 percent decline. Commercial shipments shrank by 61.7 percent, with education tenders plummeting 66.7 percent and enterprise demand dipping 26.2 percent.

However, not all segments faced the same slowdown. The consumer tablet market actually expanded by 20.5 percent in the first half of 2025. Seasonal campaigns such as Amazon Prime Day, school reopening promotions, and targeted e-commerce discounts helped sustain consumer demand. The growing appeal of larger screens, stylus support, and affordable entry-level tablets also contributed to the rise in retail-driven sales.