The Global Tablet Market is estimated to be valued at USD 55.36 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 71.45 Bn, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7% from 2024 to 2031.
Discover market dynamics shaping the industry: Request sample copy
Tablets have seen consistent growth over the past decade with improved features and falling prices. The category has now moved beyond personal usage and entered applications such as education, healthcare, retail, and more. Lower costs and versatile form factors compared to notebooks and laptops will continue aiding tablet adoption globally. However, rising preference for large screen smartphones pose a challenge.
Market Driver - Increasing Demand for Portable Devices
With advancements in technology and the fast-paced lifestyles that most people lead in today's world, there has been a strong demand for portable electronic devices that allow connectivity and access to information from anywhere. Tablets, being ultra-portable and easy to carry, have emerged as one of the most popular portable devices globally.
The flexibility and portability offered by tablets have made them a preferred choice for professionals who are always on the move. Being light-weight and compact allows tablet users to get work done or stay productive even during commute or travel. Tablets have become indispensable companions for students as well, with ability to access online study materials, e-books, collaborate with peers and complete assignments digitally. Similarly, families find tablets extremely convenient for access entertainment on the go, whether traveling together or spending time at home.
The tablet form factor is also ideal for enjoying digital content. The large touchscreen allows an enhanced content consumption and media experience compared to phones. People are increasingly using tablets for streaming video content from apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video instead of watching on small phone screens. Tablet screens are perfect for activities like reading e-books, comic books or magazines as well.
Get actionable strategies to beat competition: Request sample copy
Affordable Prices and Wide Variety of Tablets
The expansive portfolio of tablets available across different price ranges has made them very accessible devices for people from all economic segments globally. Entry-level tablets are now available at throwaway prices, making them impulse purchases even for budget-conscious customers. On the other hand, premium tablets by top brands offer cutting-edge specifications and features at competitive costs.
Manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Amazon, and Lenovo offer diverse tablet lineups catering to different needs - be it for work, entertainment, or education. In the affordable tablets category, presence of android tablets from reputed brands starting at 100-150 USD price point has boosted sales tremendously. Customers have a wide assortment to choose the right device matching their budget and requirements. With constant upgrades, even basic tablets now deliver seamless performance for average usage.
Additionally, regular price drops and frequent deals especially during online sales seasons have further enhanced tablet affordability. Loyalty programs and bundle offers including accessories/subscriptions bundled are common marketing strategies used to hook customers across regions. Refurbished and used tablets are also a cost-effective option for those looking for best value. The pricing and purchase flexibility provided by tablets have turned them into a mass-market product with universal appeal.
Key Takeaways from Analyst:
The global tablet market continues to present lucrative opportunities for device manufacturers and app developers. Major drivers for the category include the rising digitalization trends globally and increasing consumption of online content on the go. However, high initial device prices remain a key restraint especially in price-sensitive developing markets. Additionally, prolonged refresh cycles as tablets are deemed non-essential purchases could also limit market growth.
North America and Western Europe have been the dominant regions so far but tablet adoption in Asia Pacific is rising rapidly given the region's vast population and growing internet and smartphone penetration. China especially stands out and offers massive scope for tablet vendors as digital consumption increases among its huge middle class. Other emerging markets like India are also gradually turning into opportunities for tablet companies to access hundreds of millions of new users.
On the devices front, detachable laptop-tablet hybrids that offer the versatility of both categories are gaining traction. Such convertibles allowing productivity as well as media consumption could appeal to professionals and audiences. App developers also have a chance to tap into this growing convertible space by crafting software and content optimized for their larger screens. Meanwhile, affordable tablets priced under $200 continue stimulating volumes in cost-conscious areas.
Market Challenge - Intense Competition and Price Wars
The global tablet market is currently facing intense competition and price wars which are posing significant challenges for companies. There are now dozens of tablet manufacturers competing aggressively for market share which has led to a continuous drop in tablet prices. Major players like Apple, Samsung, and Amazon are regularly lowering the prices of their portfolio of tablets to gain an edge over competitors. Additionally, low-cost tablets from Chinese manufacturers are further intensifying the price pressure. This heavy price competition has reduced profit margins for companies and made it difficult to recover costs. It is also challenging for brands to differentiate their products now as specs and features have become quite similar across tablets. If the price wars continue, it could impact R&D spending and innovation in the long run for sustained growth of the market.
Growing Popularity of Tablets in Healthcare and Entertainment
One of the major opportunities for the global tablet market is the growing popularity of tablets in the healthcare and entertainment industries. Tablets are increasingly being used by healthcare providers and patients for various medical applications like accessing medical records, health monitoring, remote checkups, medical imaging etc. This is expected to drive significant sales growth. Similarly, tablets offer an engaging platform for entertainment consumption on the go. Streaming media services, digital news platforms, and mobile gaming are thriving on tablets. Entertainment companies are innovating unique content and interfaces optimized for tablets. As healthcare and entertainment needs continue expanding, there will be durable opportunities for OEMs to focus on specialized tablets addressing these domains with customized features and services. This can help open up new revenue streams.
Discover high revenue pocket segments and roadmap to it: Request sample copy
Insights By Operating System - Android Dominates Due to Wide Availability and Customization Options
In terms of Operating System, the Android segment is estimated to hold 51.2% share of the market in 2024 owing to its wide availability across a variety of tablet models and brands. Being an open-source platform, Android allows device manufacturers high levels of flexibility to customize the user interface, pre-install proprietary apps, and tweak hardware specifications as per their target audience. This has ensured its adoption across both high-end and low-cost tablets. Additionally, Android's strong third-party developer ecosystem provides users access to millions of apps and games. Its integration with Google's extensive services like Gmail, Maps and YouTube also enhances the overall user experience.
Insights By Screen Size - 8 to 10 inches Optimizes Portability and Productivity
In terms of By Screen Size, the 8 to 10 inches segment is estimated to hold 43.5% share in 2024 due to optimal balance between portability and productivity it offers. Devices in this size are highly portable for mobile use cases like travel, commute and outdoors entertainment without compromising on visibility of content and ease of typing/navigation. They can be easily held with one hand and fit into bags and backpacks. At the same time, their screen real-estate is large enough to run two apps side-by-side and perform productivity tasks like document editing, photo processing and multimedia content creation. 8 to 10 inches have emerged as the sweet spot for use both at home and on the go.
Insights By End User - Consumer Demand Drives Mass Adoption
In terms of By End User, the Consumer segment is estimated to hold 59.8% share in 2024 due to massive individual demand for tablets as a companion device. Tablets are increasingly being used by consumers for entertainment, communication, browsing, and light productivity. Their sleek design, long battery-life and wide catalogue of apps has boosted their popularity as a portable entertainment and leisure device among users of all demographics. Affordable tablets priced at entry-level have expanded the market, while premium tablets deliver flagship experiences for premium use cases like gaming and multimedia content creation. The thriving BYOD trend at workplaces has also augmented consumer adoption of tablets in place of laptops for casual tasks. Massive individual consumption remains the dominant growth engine for OEMs in this space.
To learn more about this report, Request sample copy
North America has been the dominant region in the global tablet market with an estimated 44.5% share in 2024. The large presence of tablet giants like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft along with reliable high-speed wireless networks have made tablets an indispensable computing device. With enterprises and educational institutions rapidly embracing digital transformation, the use of tablets for productivity and learning applications is widespread. This has ensured a steady demand from business and consumer segments.
However, the market is reaching maturity in North America with most users already owning a tablet. The replacement cycles are getting longer as tablets last much longer than phones. On the other hand, Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest growing market for tablets globally. Countries like China, India, and Indonesia have a young population who are adopting digital lifestyle at a rapid pace. Tablets provide an affordable way to access internet and content on the go. The growing middle-class appetite for entertainment and learning on mobile devices is fueling growth.
China alone accounts for over one-third of the Asia Pacific market owing to domestic manufacturers like Lenovo and Huawei gaining immense popularity among value conscious users. Chinese tablets are not only cheaper than American counterparts but also offer customized content and apps as per the local user preferences. The strong manufacturing base coupled with large domestic market has made China a global leader in tablets exports as well. Other southeast Asian countries are also witnessing increased spending on technology products including tablets as incomes rise and digital skills improve.
Overall, the Asia Pacific region benefits from a combination of large untapped market potential, growing digital and nationwide infrastructure push coupled with innovation by domestic brands. In contrast, the North American market lacks a similar momentum due to saturation issues making Asia Pacific region the new engine of growth in the global tablet market. Rising global trade tensions may also create opportunities for Asian manufacturers to increase their worldwide tablet shipments further.
Tablet Market Report Coverage
Report Coverage | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
Base Year: | 2023 | Market Size in 2024: | US$ 55.36 Bn |
Historical Data for: | 2019 To 2023 | Forecast Period: | 2024 To 2031 |
Forecast Period 2024 to 2031 CAGR: | 3.7% | 2031 Value Projection: | US$ 71.45 Bn |
Geographies covered: |
|
||
Segments covered: |
|
||
Companies covered: |
Apple Inc., Acer Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., Asustek Computer Inc., Dell Inc., HP Inc., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Lenovo Group Limited, LG Electronics Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and Xiaomi Corporation |
||
Growth Drivers: |
|
||
Restraints & Challenges: |
|
Uncover macros and micros vetted on 75+ parameters: Get instant access to report
*Definition: The global tablet market includes companies that design, develop, manufacture and sell tablets across the world. Tablets typically feature a touchscreen display and operate on mobile operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows etc. The global tablet market has seen steady growth over the years driven by factors like increased mobility needs, affordability of tablets and demand for portable computing devices for media consumption and productivity. Some of the leading players in the global tablet market include Apple, Samsung, Amazon, Huawei, Microsoft and Lenovo among others.
Share
About Author
Raj Shah is a seasoned strategy professional with global experience, from strategy to on-the-ground operational improvements. In last 13 years, he has executed number consulting projects focused on consumer electronics, telecom and consumer-internet business leading multiple long-term engagements towards mobilizing and executing on break-through strategy - leading to tangible sales results. Raj is also acting as a strategy consultant for one of the leading online hyper local service providers in India, contributing to their growth through critical strategic decisions. Raj usually spends time after office in talking to the passionate entrepreneurs, regardless of their funding status.
Missing comfort of reading report in your local language? Find your preferred language :
Transform your Strategy with Exclusive Trending Reports :
Frequently Asked Questions
Joining thousands of companies around the world committed to making the Excellent Business Solutions.
View All Our Clients