Tablet PC Market

Global Tablet PC Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The size of the global tablet PC market was worth USD 95.22 billion in 2023. The global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2024 to 2029 and be worth USD 240.52 billion by 2029 from USD 111.12 billion in 2024.

A tablet PC, also called a tablet, is a wireless personal computer with a touchscreen interface and the ability to utilize a stylus in some applications. It's larger than a smartphone but not quite as large as a laptop or notebook computer. Tablets are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, features, and types, and they are powered by one of three primary operating systems: Android, iOS, or Windows. Tablets typically have a screen size of 7 inches or more, and cellular networks may or may not be supported. Tablets can be used for smart business, entertainment, office computing, web browsing, and a variety of other things. The global tablet PC market had an excellent fourth quarter (4Q20), with 19.5 percent year-over-year growth with shipments topping 52.2 million units in 2021. The revival in tablet demand is undoubtedly attributable to exceptional demand in the consumer and education segments due to work from home and online learning.

MARKET DRIVERS

In the recent past, there has been a paradigm shift in customer demand towards tablet devices. Tablets, which were once mostly used for entertainment, have gained popularity in a range of applications as a result of technical developments, resulting in a shift in consumer usage habits. Tablets are currently being utilized for a variety of purposes in a variety of industries, including education, corporate, personal, and commercial. Tablet designs have also evolved significantly in response to consumer demands, with features such as lighter devices and higher screen resolution and size, enhanced graphics for gaming and video streaming, and apps for bill payment and syncing with other electronic devices for control and monitoring. Furthermore, during the projected period, the introduction of new upgraded models with lucrative features is expected to support the worldwide tablet market growth.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Consumer desire for ‘phablets,' a hybrid gadget that combines a tablet and a phone, is predicted to stymie tablet adoption in the near future. Hybrid PCs, which combine the elements of a notebook computer with a tablet, offer significantly more sophisticated features than tablets, such as a lighter design, an external keyboard, and improved battery efficiency. Up to a certain extent, rising demand for these devices is projected to limit market expansion. Furthermore, rising demand for smartphones, which have features similar to tablets such as larger screens, better operating systems, and less weight, is likely to limit global table market growth throughout the projection period.

In comparison to established suppliers, emerging players in the industry are focusing on drastically cutting the cost of tablet computers. Because device production costs are cheap, new entrants benefit from huge profit margins. As a result, the revenues of key participants in the worldwide tablet market are being eaten up by upstart suppliers. Furthermore, over the projected period, rising competition among major market participants and regular price drops are expected to stifle the worldwide tablet market's growth.

Impact of COVID-19 of the Tablet PC Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the tablet PC market. The initial quarter of 2020 hindered the global sales of tablets due to the shutdown of production units, especially in Asia, which is the largest manufacturing region of tablets. Apple Inc. was the most adversely affected company because of the low supply of chipsets. The demand for tablets increased gradually by the end of 2020, driven by the rising need for educational tablets and the easing of lockdown restrictions.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Tablet PC Market Analysis By Operating System

The iOS, installed exclusively in Apple iPads, dominates the segment accounting for 37% of the market share. iPads are the most popular tablets in the world and are highly preferred by graphic designers because of selected professional applications which only run on iOS platforms, hence, aiding the market growth of iOS-supported tablets.

The Android platform is the fastest-growing segment and is the only alternate platform challenging iOS. Android operating systems are available in several brands; hence, Android tablets are the most mass-produced across the world. The primary factors driving the growth of the Android tablets are relatively cheaper prices, easy availability, and high compatibility across various devices. Therefore, Android tablets are expected to outsell iOS tablets over the forecast period.    

Global Tablet PC Market Analysis By Screen Size

The 7-inch screen tablets are the most popular in the market owing to the convenience of carrying the device while traveling and the economical prices as well they available, compared to larger screen devices.

Global Tablet PC Market Analysis By Application

The entertainment segment is predicted to hold the highest share of the worldwide market compared to other uses. Tablets have a bigger screen than a smartphone and are easier to carry than a laptop, hence, its users receive the best of both worlds in a single device to enjoy OTT content. Educational tablets have been the fastest growing segment post-pandemic owing to the advent of online classes and a surge in tech platforms. Graphic designers use tablets the most for professional work and are pivotal in the growth of the tablet PC market during the study period.

Global Tablet PC Market Analysis By Distribution Channel

Online platforms are the dominant channel since vendors make huge sales through flash sales, and consumers receive heavy discounts on products.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

During the forecast period, tablet adoption by non-traditional end users such as restaurants, education, and healthcare is expected to drive tablet demand in North America. The growing use of tablet applications to improve educational institutions is driving up demand. In restaurants, table-top tablets are used to display menus and allow customers/patrons to place food orders and pay bills. The presence of Apple Inc. in the US makes the region the largest market for tablet PCs in the world.

The Android operating system currently has a large share in the South American market. A lot of Android device makers are concentrating their efforts on the regional table market. Despite the fact that iOS is the market leader, Android smartphones are projected to take a larger share in the near future. In Argentina, Android tablets accounted for 74% of the tablet market, followed by 71 percent in Brazil and 59 percent in Mexico.

Due to technology improvements in growing nations such as China, India, and Japan, Asia Pacific is likely to be the most prominent regional market over the projection period. The Asia Pacific market is likely to benefit from changing consumer preferences as well as growing disposable income in India and South Korea.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL TABLET PC MARKET

Samsung (South Korea), LG (South Korea), Asus (Taiwan), Lenovo (China), Huawei (China), Amazon (US), Microsoft (US), HP (US), Nokia (Finland) and Toshiba (Japan) are some of the notable players in the global tablet pc market. Apple Inc is the leader in the global tablet pc market with a growth of 19% in 2021.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

• In China, Lenovo has released its first education-focused tablet, the Lenovo Tianjiao Pad, which features a Helio G90T SoC. The Lenovo Tianjiao Pad will be available for purchase in the region starting November 10 for 1,299 yen (about Rs 15,100).
• Apple Inc. has diminished iPad tablet production in order to devote more resources on the iPhone 13, indicating that the worldwide processor supply crunch is affecting Apple more severely than previously thought.
• Asus, a Taiwanese laptop manufacturer, is in talks with Indian EMS companies to start local manufacturing of its laptops in India, with the goal of capturing a 20% market share in the consumer laptop segment by 2021.
• The antimicrobial layer of Acer's Enduro Urban T3, a 10-inch tablet, eliminates harmful bacterial contaminants from its screens and surfaces. It's also dust- and water-resistant (IP53 standard). Even the exposed ports and speakers are water-resistant.

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL TABLET PC MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global tablet PC market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on operating system, screen size, application, distribution channel, and region.

By Operating System

• Android
• iOS
• Windows

By Screen Size

• 7 Inch
• 7 Inch & Above

By Application

• Education
• Work
• Entertainment
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa