India’s tablet market recorded a 5 per cent year-on-year increase in the first quarter of CY2026, even as smartphone shipments fell 3 per cent during the same period, marking the smartphone segment’s weakest quarterly performance in six years. According to Counterpoint Research, tablet demand remained resilient despite facing the same challenges affecting smartphones, including rising memory costs and broader supply chain pressures. The contrasting performance highlights a shift in consumer spending patterns within the electronics market. While overall demand remains subdued, consumers appear to be allocating more spending towards tablets than smartphones.
Counterpoint noted that tablet average selling prices (ASPs) rose 20 per cent year-on-year, driven by both premiumisation and higher component costs resulting from memory price inflation. Similar cost pressures have impacted the smartphone industry, where rising DRAM and NAND prices have pushed brands to increase launch prices and implement post-launch price revisions. A recent example is the OnePlus Pad Go 2, whose price increased from Rs 26,999 at launch to Rs 28,999. Despite such hikes, tablet shipments continued to grow, suggesting that consumers are less sensitive to price increases in this category than in smartphones.
Anshika Jain, Principal Analyst at Counterpoint Research, said tablet ASPs registered double-digit growth in Q1 2026. While memory inflation contributed to higher prices, its full impact is expected to become more visible from the second quarter as brands raise prices further to offset increasing costs and protect margins.
Growth within the tablet market has been concentrated in larger-screen devices. Tablets with displays larger than 13 inches posted the strongest growth, surging 338 per cent year-on-year. The 12–12.9-inch category expanded 76 per cent, while the 11–11.9-inch segment grew 29 per cent.
eanwhile, smaller devices experienced significant declines. Shipments in the 10–10.9-inch category dropped 76 per cent, while tablets below 9.9 inches fell 52 per cent year-on-year.
The trend reflects growing consumer preference for larger screens that support entertainment, education and productivity use cases. Models such as Lenovo’s Idea Tab series and Samsung’s Ultra series have gained traction, while Apple and Xiaomi introduced new tablets with displays exceeding 12 inches during the quarter. According to Counterpoint, tablets are increasingly being positioned as cost-effective alternatives to both smartphones and laptops, offering greater versatility for content consumption, online learning and work-related tasks. Jain noted that consumers are increasingly viewing tablets as both media and productivity devices, driving demand for larger displays, premium features and higher-end configurations.
On the supply side, domestic tablet manufacturing grew by more than 61 per cent year-on-year. Counterpoint attributed this growth to brands expanding local production and increasing exports, which exceeded 200,000 units during the quarter. Companies such as Lenovo have accelerated local manufacturing efforts, while Xiaomi and OnePlus have also benefited from domestic production. Other brands, including Realme and OPPO, have expanded their manufacturing capabilities in India, strengthening the broader ecosystem.
However, increased localisation has not yet translated into lower prices. Similar to the smartphone market, manufacturers still depend heavily on imported components, particularly for key materials and memory. Sumit Singh, Senior Vice-President and Head of Product at Lava International, previously noted that while assembly operations and some components are now produced locally, many engineering bill-of-materials components continue to be sourced from markets such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As a result, ongoing memory cost inflation is likely to continue influencing device pricing in the near term.
India’s tablet market is growing despite rising prices, driven by increasing demand for larger, premium devices and supported by expanding local manufacturing. In contrast, smartphone shipments continue to decline under similar cost pressures, particularly those linked to memory inflation. The differing performance of the two categories suggests that consumers are redistributing spending across devices rather than signalling a broader recovery in overall consumer electronics demand.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Magnific.
The shooting of Drishyam 3 has officially concluded, and the much-awaited thriller has now entered the post-production stage ahead of its scheduled theatrical release on October 2, 2026. Director Abhishek Pathak shared the update on social media, marking the completion of an extensive and demanding filming schedule. In an emotional message, he expressed his appreciation for the cast, crew, and everyone who contributed to bringing the latest installment of the franchise to life.
“And that's a wrap on the shoot of #Drishyam3,” Pathak wrote, reflecting on the months-long journey behind the film. Speaking about the experience, he noted that the project had become a central part of their lives, with the team spending countless days and nights working through scenes, overcoming challenges, solving problems, and celebrating milestones together.
The filmmaker thanked his colleagues for their commitment and perseverance throughout production, acknowledging both the smooth and difficult phases of the shoot. He praised their trust, patience, hard work, and unwavering belief in the film. Pathak also emphasized the collaborative spirit that shaped the project, stating that every frame of the movie reflects the passion, dedication, and effort of the people involved. He added that he felt fortunate to have shared the journey with such a talented team and expressed gratitude for their role in helping tell the story.
Starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, and Shriya Saran, Drishyam 3 continues one of India's most popular suspense-thriller franchises. Renowned for its engaging narrative and psychological intrigue, the series has built a loyal fan base over the years. Backed by Panorama Studios and Viacom18, the film is set to hit theatres on October 2, 2026, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@abhishekpathakk.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday criticized the Centre over its handling of examination paper leaks, alleging that repeated irregularities in recruitment and competitive exams continue to impact students across India. In a post on X, Singh described paper leaks as a serious issue affecting millions of students and accused the government of avoiding meaningful discussions on the matter. He claimed that many young people have been pushed to extreme distress, while the BJP-led government has failed to acknowledge their concerns.
Singh also highlighted a recent discussion programme held in Prayagraj, where students participated in conversations about paper leaks. He said the campaign would continue in the coming days. The remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over alleged irregularities in various competitive and recruitment examinations across the country.
On Monday, Singh alleged that Uttar Pradesh Police and government officials attempted to disrupt his interaction with students in Prayagraj, calling it an example of growing authoritarianism. Sharing a video of the incident on social media, he claimed that authorities were trying to prevent discussions about an issue that affects millions of students.
In the video, Singh questioned officials about why a discussion held inside a conference room was being interrupted. He argued that talking about paper leaks in a democratic setup should not be treated as an offence, especially when the issue impacts countless students and job aspirants. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the BJP government, saying that while paper leaks themselves do not seem to concern the ruling party, discussions surrounding the issue appear to be unwelcome.
The controversy unfolds amid ongoing concerns surrounding the examination process, including the rescheduled NEET-UG 2026 exam and allegations of administrative lapses and paper leaks. Investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation are underway, with multiple arrests reported, while student protests have intensified in several regions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The results of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026 were announced on Tuesday, with 56,880 candidates qualifying for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other participating institutions. The number of successful candidates has increased by approximately 4.6 percent compared to last year, reflecting a modest rise in the overall qualification count. The examination, regarded as one of India's toughest engineering entrance tests, was conducted for students seeking admission to undergraduate engineering programs at the country's premier IITs. Candidates who cleared the examination will now be eligible to participate in the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling process for seat allotment.
According to official data, nearly 1.8 lakh students appeared for both papers of the examination this year. Of these, 56,880 candidates met the qualifying criteria set by the examination authorities. The increase in the number of qualifiers comes amid continued intense competition for seats at the IITs, which remain among the most sought-after engineering institutions in the country. Every year, lakhs of students prepare for the examination, but only a fraction secure ranks high enough to gain admission to their preferred courses and campuses.
This year's results also highlighted strong performances from candidates across multiple examination zones. The top rank in the Common Rank List (CRL) was secured by Shubham Kumar from the IIT Delhi zone. Among female candidates, Arohi Deshpande emerged as the highest-ranked student. Education experts noted that while qualifying JEE Advanced is a significant achievement, the admission process is far from over. Candidates must now carefully evaluate their options during JoSAA counselling, where factors such as rank, category, seat availability, and branch preferences will determine final allotments.
The results also reflected encouraging participation by female candidates, with more than 10,000 girls qualifying for the examination. The trend is being viewed as a positive sign for gender diversity in engineering and technical education. Following the declaration of results, students can access their scorecards through the official JEE Advanced portal and begin preparing for the counselling process, which is expected to commence shortly. With the results now announced, thousands of successful candidates will turn their attention to securing seats in IITs, marking the next stage of their academic journey toward careers in engineering, technology, and research.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Hindu.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday met senior leaders from Larsen & Toubro and Bharti Enterprises to review ongoing projects and discuss future investments in the state. Sarma held talks with SN Subrahmanyan on the progress of L&T’s infrastructure projects in Assam and their timely completion. He also met Rajan Bharti Mittal to discuss the group's expansion plans, particularly improving telecom and internet connectivity in underserved areas. The meetings highlight Assam's efforts to attract investment, accelerate infrastructure development and strengthen digital connectivity across the state.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @himantabiswa
On Saturday, Donald Trump stated that negotiations with Tehran were progressing positively and that a deal to end the conflict was largely in place. Just a day later, the United States carried out strikes in southern Iran. By Thursday, Trump had shared a draft peace proposal for the Iran conflict with allied nations. As the future of a US-Iran agreement remains uncertain, Jonathan Freedland speaks with Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group to explore why Trump has repeatedly shifted his approach to ending the war.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has kept its GDP growth forecast at 2–4%, supported by stronger-than-anticipated economic performance in the first quarter. At the same time, core inflation eased more than expected in April. Economists caution that geopolitical uncertainties and weaker external demand continue to pose risks. Susan Ng and Hairianto Diman discuss the strength of Singapore’s economy and its outlook for the coming months with Jeff Ng from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey respond to reader questions on whether Andy Burnham could outperform Keir Starmer, whether Makerfield matters more for Reform UK than for Labour, and whether the UK could realistically rejoin the EU.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
One method used to support wildlife conservation is to permit wealthy hunters to legally kill a small number of animals in exchange for very high fees. Supporters say the money helps protect habitats and fund conservation work. However, critics argue that this practice is ethically questionable and resembles neocolonial exploitation of African wildlife resources.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
