The tablet market in India is booming, with sales reaching an all-time high in 2024 and projected to outpace laptops for the first time ever. According to exclusive data from IDC India, tablet sales grew 24% year-on-year to 2.6 million consumer units, fueled by rising demand for large-screen devices suited for both work and entertainment.
This shift in consumer preference is driven by improvements in tablet functionality, growing accessory ecosystems, and aggressive pricing strategies by brands like Samsung and Xiaomi. Analysts predict that 2025 will further solidify the dominance of tablets, as buyers increasingly prioritize portability, versatility, and affordability over traditional laptops.
The Rise of Tablets: Changing Work and Entertainment Habits
For many consumers, tablets have become the go-to second device after smartphones, replacing laptops in several use cases. Take, for instance, Sengupta, a working professional, who now prefers his iPad for work and recreation on most days:
“My office-issued laptop suffices for presentations. But for other visual work, I can comfortably do that on my iPad—which makes it convenient to travel with.”
This sentiment reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior. Laptops peaked in 2021—the height of the remote work boom—when sales hit 6.2 million units. However, by 2024, laptop sales had stagnated at 5.8 million, growing by just 1.7% year-on-year. In contrast, tablet sales have maintained an annualized growth rate of 19% over the past six years.
Tablets Outselling Laptops: A Milestone Year Ahead
Analysts predict that tablet sales in India will soon surpass laptops in terms of unit sales, a trend that was previously unthinkable. While enterprise laptop sales remain steady, consumer demand has shifted heavily towards tablets.
✔ 2024 marked the first time tablet sales in India crossed $1 billion, with a 25% year-on-year revenue growth.
✔ Laptop revenue, by comparison, rose just 4% to $4.4 billion, signaling slowing consumer demand.
✔ Average tablet prices increased by 15% in the past year, reaching ₹30,000 per unit, as consumers opted for higher-end models with more features.
Why Are Tablets Becoming the Preferred Choice?
Several factors are driving the growing appeal of tablets over laptops:
✔ Improved Performance & Accessories – Tablets now feature detachable keyboards, styluses, and robust processing power, making them a genuine alternative to laptops.
✔ Portability & Convenience – Consumers value lightweight, sleek tablets over bulkier laptops, especially for travel, entertainment, and casual work.
✔ Aggressive Pricing & Innovation – Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Lenovo have introduced feature-packed tablets at competitive prices, further cannibalizing the entry-level laptop market.
✔ Mass Adoption in Education & Government Programs – Large-scale tablet procurements—such as the Gujarat government’s order of 1 million tablets in 2024—are fueling further adoption.
Samsung & Xiaomi Lead the Tablet Boom
Samsung emerged as the clear market leader in India’s tablet industry, accounting for 43% of all tablet sales in 2024 with 2.4 million units sold. Xiaomi also saw massive success, doubling its tablet shipments compared to 2023, while Lenovo and Apple rounded out the top five.
✔ Samsung’s tablet shipments grew 54% year-on-year, cementing its dominance in the Indian market.
✔ Xiaomi reported a 92% surge in sales, driven by the increasing demand for productivity-focused tablets.
Dinesh Nair, Director of Lenovo’s Consumer Business in India, stated:
“We are targeting India’s tablet market with devices tailored for learning, entertainment, and productivity—while also exploring new segments like gaming and AI-powered tablets.”
Will Tablets Fully Replace Laptops?
While laptops still dominate in enterprise use cases, analysts predict continued pressure from tablets in consumer markets. Bharath Shenoy, research manager at IDC India, forecasts 12% tablet sales growth in 2025, compared to just 1% growth in laptops.
Challenges for the Laptop Market
✔ AI PCs Are Not Gaining Traction – Despite heavy marketing, AI-powered laptops have yet to resonate with buyers, limiting their appeal.
✔ Tablets Are Eating into Entry-Level Laptop Sales – As tablets become more capable, they cannibalize the budget laptop segment, reducing overall demand.
✔ Enterprise Demand May Sustain Laptops – With Windows 10 support ending, corporate buyers may refresh older devices, but consumer interest remains sluggish.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
