Apple (51%) and Samsung (24%) Dominate India’s Tablet Market, Despite Low-Cost Options

​Despite a series of low-cost media tablet launches in the second half of 2011, Apple’s iPad has managed to maintain its premier position in the Indian market with 51% market share in 2011. Samsung’s achievement at extending its success in the handset segment to the tablet segment, with its Galaxy Tab, allowed Samsung to occupy the second spot with 24% market share. Indian consumers also showed a strong penchant for RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook after prices were slashed significantly, making it the third largest player with a 10.4% market share.

The presence of ultra-low cost media tablets with non-optimal specifications might ruin the user experience and, in turn, prove to be a dampener for media tablet growth. “Although there is lot of buzz in the Indian market, media tablets are yet to demonstrate their value proposition to Indian consumers,” says research analyst Aishwarya Singh. “While there are several media tablets being launched in the sub-$200 price range, simply lowering the average selling price of media tablets may not lead to the desired growth in the market.”  However, media tablets from the domestic handset makers, such as Micromax, may be the right products at the right price point for the mass market.

In India, total media tablet shipments in 2011 are estimated to be 0.39 million units, which is a very small fraction of the nearly 65 million shipped globally. However, the Indian media tablet market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 71% and shipments are expected to growth to 9.66 million units in 2017. “2012 is going to be an important year in the Indian tablet market as there are ample media tablet models available across different price points,” adds Jeff Orr, consumer research group director. “An enhanced user experience, seamless connectivity options, and localized content will drive the media tablet market growth.”

ABI Research’s new study, “Indian Media Tablet Market,” identifies the drivers for growth of the media tablet market in India and provides forecasts for tablet shipments and market size, in addition to vendor market share analysis.

It is part of ABI Research’s Asia Intelligence Research Service and Tablets, Netbooks & Mobile CE Research Service.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.