India tablet market grows by 25% on-year in 2024; Apple iPad shipments cross 1 mn units: CMR, ET BrandEquity

FILE PHOTO: The new Apple iPad Air tablet is displayed shortly after it went on sale at the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, in New York City, New York, U.S., March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File PhotoThe India tablet market grew by 25% year-on-year in 2024 by volume, primarily led by 5G shipments and premium tablets, according to the latest CyberMedia Research (CMR) report released on Thursday.

Apple, in the first position, led the market with a volume share of 29% aided by a 44% year-on-year growth in shipments, according to the research firm’s data. Its iPad shipments crossed the 1 million mark for the first time in 2024, CMR said.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, at the company’s most recent post-earnings analyst call, said that the iPad revenue grew by 15% year-on-year to reach $8.1 billion in Q1 2025, driven by a strong interest in the company’s latest products.

“The iPad install base reached another all-time high, and over half of the customers who purchased an iPad during the quarter were new to the product. Customer satisfaction was at 96% in the U.S,” Kevan Parekh, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Apple, had said during the call.

According to CMR data, Samsung followed in the second rank with a 28% share, aided by a 58% annual growth in shipments, while third-ranked Lenovo’s shipments fell by 6% which contracted its share to 16% in 2024 compared to 21% in 2023. Xiaomi, in the fourth spot, registered a strong 112% year-on-year growth in shipments, taking its volume share to 13% in 2024 from 8% in 2023, while Realme ranked fifth with a 6% share on the back of a 21% year-on-year decline.

“India’s tablet market is undergoing a significant shift towards premiumization, with the premium segment (priced above Rs 20,000) registering a stupendous growth. As hybrid work, digital learning, and on-the-go entertainment gain traction, premium tablets have emerged as a key growth driver,” said According to Menka Kumari, Senior Analyst – Industry Intelligence Group (IIG) at CMR.

She said consumers are increasingly seeking high-performance devices equipped with superior displays, advanced chipsets, and 5G connectivity. “With brands focusing on innovation, ecosystem integration, and differentiated value propositions, the premium segment is set to redefine India’s tablet market trajectory,” Kumari said.

In Q4 2024, Samsung led the market with a 29% share, followed by Lenovo (23%) and Apple (21%), as per the research firm.

CMR has forecasted a steady 10-15% growth for the tablet market in 2025.

“India’s tablet market is poised for continued expansion, driven by the growing 5G ecosystem, AI-powered productivity features, and government-backed digital initiatives. The shift away from 4G tablets marks a key industry evolution, while Wi-Fi-only models remain strong, catering to increasing demand from the education and enterprise sectors,” added Kumari.

• Published On Feb 13, 2025 at 04:30 PM IST

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