The Indian tablet market faced a significant downturn in 2025, with shipments dropping 21.7% compared to the previous year. According to IDC's latest report, the market managed just 4.4 million units, a sharp decline that affected most major players. However, two brands bucked the trend and posted impressive growth figures.
Market Leaders and Their Performance
Samsung maintained its dominance in India, capturing 37.2% of the market with 1.6 million shipments. The Korean giant held onto its crown despite the overall contraction. Lenovo secured second place with 666,000 units and emerged as the fastest-growing brand with a remarkable 28.9% year-on-year increase.
Xiaomi claimed third position with 576,000 shipments, representing 12.8% market share. The Chinese brand grew 12.1% compared to 2024, making it one of only two companies to expand in this challenging environment. Apple followed in fourth place with 540,000 units and 12% market share, though its sales dropped 14% year-on-year.
Significant Declines Across the Board
Acer experienced the steepest fall, plummeting 68.8% to just 335,000 shipments and 7.5% market share. This dramatic decline highlights the difficulties facing traditional PC manufacturers in the tablet space. Most brands struggled to maintain momentum as consumer demand softened throughout the year.
Q4 2025 Shows Mixed Signals
The fourth quarter presented a different picture. Samsung and Lenovo retained their top positions, but Apple moved up to third place while Xiaomi slipped to fourth. Whistel made an impressive entry into the top five with 292.7% growth compared to Q4 2024. Both Lenovo and Xiaomi continued their upward trajectory with 56.5% and 30.8% quarterly growth respectively.
Future Outlook
Priyansh Tiwari, research analyst at IDC India & South Asia, noted that emerging technologies are reshaping the tablet landscape. "The integration of 5G, AI-enabled productivity features, and smart note-taking capabilities is repositioning tablets beyond media consumption toward everyday productivity. As notebook prices rise, detachable tablets in particular are emerging as a practical, cost-effective alternative for students and young professionals."
This shift toward productivity-focused devices could help stabilize the market in 2026. Brands that adapt quickly to these changing consumer needs may find opportunities for growth even in a contracting market.