India’s tablet shipments declined in Q2 2026 due to rising memory prices, but a surge in demand for premium models above Rs 20,000 signals a market shift towards higher-end devices and larger screens, with local manufacturing adapting to this new landscape.
India’s tablet market slowed in the second quarter of 2026 as rising memory costs pushed brands to lift prices and cut back on lower-end configurations, according to Counterpoint Research. Shipments fell 3.8 per cent year on year, but the more striking change was in the mix of devices sold: the average selling price rose 15 per cent as manufacturers shifted their focus towards more expensive models.
The sharpest weakness was at the entry level. Devices priced below Rs 20,000, long the volume base of India’s tablet market, dropped 43 per cent from a year earlier. By contrast, tablets above Rs 20,000 grew 27 per cent and accounted for 74 per cent of the market, reflecting what Counterpoint said was a consumer shift towards better processors, tighter integration with other devices and larger displays. Principal analyst Anshika Jain said the trend was being driven by brands that had increased prices and simplified their line-ups.
Screen size has become another sign of that premium tilt. Counterpoint said demand was rising for tablets above 12 inches, particularly in price bands above Rs 20,000, as buyers increasingly treat tablets as a secondary display for work, study and entertainment. The Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 segment stood out, expanding 45 per cent year on year, with brands such as OnePlus and Lenovo contributing to the gain.
Manufacturing is also changing alongside demand. Counterpoint said domestic tablet production rose 30 per cent year on year in the quarter, helped by larger local output from established players including Samsung and Lenovo. That suggests the supply chain is adapting to a market in which premium devices are taking a greater share, even as component inflation squeezes lower-priced models.
The pressure on the bottom end is likely to continue through the festive season, although promotions may soften the blow, Counterpoint said. The latest quarterly figures also sit alongside a broader run of strength earlier in the year: another report in August said India’s tablet market grew 15 per cent in the first half of 2026, powered by premium demand across consumer, education and enterprise segments. That points to a market that is not shrinking so much as moving decisively upwards.
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