New Delhi — Tablet shipments in India declined 3.8% year over year in the second quarter of 2026 as higher memory costs pushed up device prices and encouraged consumers to shift toward more expensive models, according to Counterpoint Research.
Brands raised prices across their tablet portfolios and reduced the number of memory configurations available, contributing to a 15% increase in the average selling price.
The impact was particularly severe in the under-Rs 20,000 segment, traditionally a major part of India’s tablet market. Shipments in the category fell 43% from a year earlier during the quarter.
In contrast, tablets priced above Rs 20,000 recorded 27% growth and accounted for 74% of the market.
“This was driven by brands increasing prices and streamlining their portfolios, with consumers moving towards premium products with more capable processors, smoother ecosystem integration, and larger display sizes,” Counterpoint Research Principal Analyst Anshika Jain said.
Demand is also shifting toward larger displays, particularly tablets with screens exceeding 12 inches and priced above Rs 20,000, as consumers increasingly use tablets as secondary screens.
The Rs 20,000-to-Rs 30,000 segment posted particularly strong growth, rising 45% year over year, supported by brands including OnePlus and Lenovo.
Domestic tablet manufacturing also expanded during the quarter, increasing 30% from a year earlier as companies including Samsung and Lenovo continued to increase local production.
“Domestic manufacturing grew 30 per cent YoY in Q2, as established players such as Samsung and Lenovo continued to expand their local production,” Jain said.
Higher memory prices are expected to continue affecting demand during the festive shopping season, although discounts and promotional offers could provide some support.
The second-quarter slowdown follows stronger performance during the first half of the year. A separate report released in August found India’s tablet market grew 15% year over year during the first six months of 2026, supported by premiumization and continued demand from consumers, schools and businesses. (Source: IANS)
