MetaFacts TUP/Technology User Profile analysis results for subscribers
The majority of online adults are using more than one connected device – a mobile phone, PC, tablet, or game console. The device they use the most – their primary device – varies across age groups. More adults under age 35 primarily use a smartphone while those 35 and over rely on a computer. This MetaFAQs details the primary device of online adults by four age groups.
How different are advantaged from disadvantaged Americans in whether or not they use a smartphone? How much has this changed since before the pandemic? How do historically socioeconomically advantaged groups such as high-income or college graduates compare to disadvantaged groups such as single parents, low-income, less-educated, elderly, or people of color? This TUP analysis reports on the penetration of smartphones within each socioeconomic group.
Among online Americans, Smartphones have reached the same penetration rate as PCs, partly due to some segments where PC usage has declined. Apple has propelled much of this growth, outpacing Android smartphones in nearly every segment. Windows PCs, while still dominant, have been gradually losing their lead and penetration rates among most segments. Usage of tablets has continued its slow decline, primarily due to lowered market penetration of iPads within most market segments.
Game-playing is more widespread than many people realize; a regular activity of 128.8 million online Americans. Those who only follow game consoles may not realize the extent of game-playing extending to smartphones, PCs, and tablets. Game-playing is an everyday activity for 59% of online Americans. This MetaFAQs profiles the group of game-players using connected devices, detailing the critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age, age within gender, employment status, household size, and life stage.
After peaking at the start of the COVID pandemic, the hours online adults use their connected devices have broadly declined. Across the US, Germany, and the UK, total device hours have even dropped below their pre-pandemic levels. This MetaFAQs report, based on the results of TUP research from 2016 through 2021, details the hours spent using home PCs, work PCs, smartphones, and tablets and how those hours have shifted.
Globally, more online adults plan to buy an iPhone than buy an Android smartphone. In purchase plans, iPads lead Android tablets even more substantially. The gap and direction vary by country and age of the respondent. This MetaFAQs reports purchase plans among online adults by device type, country, and age group.
For most Americans, tablets are used for passive activities, from watching videos to web browsing. Game-playing is a regular activity for many. This MetaFAQs profiles the group of tablet game-players, representing 11% of online Americans, detailing the critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age, gender, age within gender, life stage, and number of PCs used.
While some may argue that a smartphone is a smartphone regardless of its ecosystem, users beg to differ, as shown by their actions. This MetaFAQs profiles activity usage differences between iPhones and Android smartphones, Windows PCs, Apple Macs, and Chromebooks, and iPads, Android, and Windows tablets.
Fun is essential, even when standing in line, and a unique segment of game-players reach for their smartphones to play. This MetaFAQs profiles the sizable, if a casual, group of smartphone game-players, the 32% of online Americans using a smartphone to play games, detailing the critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age, gender, age within gender, employment status, household size, and life stage.
A user’s age is often used as shorthand for estimating the sophistication, eagerness, or purchase likelihood levels of adults with technology devices and services. While age does have some explanatory power, there is much more information needed for understanding. This TUPdate looks at what people do with their devices, which types of devices they use for certain activities, and how this varies by age.