The Indian PC and tablet market is set 11% in 2024 and record an even more robust increase of 15% in 2025 according to research firm Canalys. This optimistic outlook comes on the heels of a strong first quarter in 2024, during which the market saw 9% year-on-year growth, totaling 4.3 million units shipped. This growth was prominently driven by a 37% surge in tablet shipments, amounting to 1.3 million units, while desktop shipments saw a modest increase of 9% and notebook shipments experienced a slight decline of 4%.
The commercial sector played a pivotal role in this growth, bolstered by expedited government tenders ahead of elections and a few key deals closing in the SMB sector. However, the consumer segment faced challenges due to high inventory levels and delayed shipments. In stark contrast, the tablet market thrived, mainly driven by educational demand, with notable fulfillment from state tenders like that of Uttar Pradesh, where Samsung and Acer were key players.
Looking ahead, Canalys forecasts healthy demand across all end-user segments, with the commercial sector expected to be a significant growth driver. The end of support for Windows 10 devices and the increasing availability of AI-capable PCs are anticipated to spur a large refresh cycle among enterprises, SMBs, and the public sector. Additionally, substantial education tenders are expected to close this year, further boosting the tablet market.
The consumer PC market is also set for a boost as devices purchased during the pandemic era will soon need refreshing, presenting an opportunity for upgrades. “India’s appetite for higher-end PCs is expected to expand in the coming years,” said Ashweej Aithal, Analyst at Canalys. “The introduction of on-device AI capabilities from chipset manufacturers and OEMs will buoy this transition. The rise of other use cases like gaming and content creation will also help support a push toward premiumization.”
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