Indian Tablet Market Falls Nearly 20% as Samsung Extends Its Lead

The Indian Tablet Market recorded a steep 19.7 per cent YoY drop in Q3 2025, according to fresh IDC data. Shipments fell to 1.33 million units as demand for slate models collapsed. Yet, Samsung held a strong lead, even as Apple slipped to the fourth spot.

Slate Shipments Crash, Detachables Rise

The tablet category includes slate and detachable models. Detachables grew 7.3 per cent due to rising productivity use. However, slate shipments plunged 29.4 per cent and pulled the overall market down. This shift shows how users now prefer keyboards and stylus-friendly devices for work and learning.

Festive Sales Power the Consumer Market

Interestingly, the consumer segment grew 13.5 per cent YoY. Festive offers boosted interest. Bank deals and exchange programs also pushed new buyers toward tablets. Moreover, increasing demand from smaller cities added momentum.

Online platforms saw massive traction. E-commerce shipments soared 53.9 per cent compared to last year. Vendors pushed heavy inventory to match online sale periods. This strong surge stood in contrast to the sluggish commercial sector.

Commercial Market Hit by Delayed Tenders

Commercial tablet shipments declined 53.5 per cent. Education orders suffered the most, dropping 61.9 per cent. Many tenders got delayed, while schools and institutions extended replacement cycles. Purchases from small offices also fell sharply by 47.9 per cent as budgets tightened.

Samsung Leads, Apple Slides to Fourth Place

Samsung stayed on top with a 37.5 per cent share despite a 27.6 per cent YoY fall in shipments. Lenovo took the second spot after posting strong 33.2 per cent growth. Xiaomi followed at third with a 15.5 per cent share.

The biggest shake-up came from Apple. Its shipments fell 27.8 per cent, dragging it to fourth place. Acer closed the top five list with a 7.9 per cent share after a steep 60.6 per cent decline. Brands under the “Others” category grew 28.2 per cent, showing rising competition in the lower-cost segment.

Market Outlook Signals Rising Productivity Needs

IDC’s Priyansh Tiwari said that festive sales played a key role in driving tablet adoption, especially in smaller towns. He also noted that tablets are now being used more for productivity when paired with accessories. This shift could shape how brands plan their Q4 strategy.

The numbers clearly show that the Indian Tablet Market is evolving fast. While demand for slates weakens, detachable devices continue to rise, signalling a new trend in user behaviour.