As economic shifts, supply chain issues, and the effects of the pandemic linger, Americans continue to express their interest in technology products. However, their current purchase plans are all over the map, with several vital products experiencing a collapse in buyer interest. Tablets and smartwatches are looking up, printers down, and wireless item trackers are flat as consumers reel through their ups and downs.
This MetaFAQs reports on the purchase plans of online Americans for a smartwatch, printer, smartphone (iPhone or Android), wireless item tracker, home computer, fitness tracker, or tablet. The analysis splits 1st-time buyers from repeat buyers while also reporting on the number of current users without plans and those out of the market.
Basic feature phone usage by socioeconomic groups
While smartphones get most of the market attention, during the last five years with the pandemic, a surging group of Americans returned to using feature phones. The resurgence took place among both upper and lower socioeconomic groups. While younger Gen Z are often typecast as using only the newest technologies, such as smartphones, economic realities have contributed to the temporary growth in feature phone usage.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a feature phone along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Android smartphone usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Android smartphones continue to predominate as products for lower and moderate socioeconomic groups, both active users as well as those aspiring to have newer Androids. Several traditionally disadvantaged groups have higher market penetration rates than those historically advantaged. As overall Android smartphone penetration has dropped among Americans during the pandemic, adoption faltered the furthest among disadvantaged groups. However, two upper socioeconomic groups have higher penetration rates than five years earlier.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use or intend to use an Android smartphone along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
iPhone usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
The Apple iPhone continues to be a product for upper socioeconomic groups, both active users as well as those aspiring to have newer iPhones. Traditionally advantaged groups have higher iPhone market penetration rates than those historically disadvantaged. During the pandemic, iPhone adoption faltered among disadvantaged groups, with 2022 showing a return to broadening penetration.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use or intend to use an iPhone along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Declining computer use among employees
Employees are more likely to be using a smartphone than either a home or work computer, as computer use has declined over the last four years. Global and US employees are also more likely to be using a home computer than one provided by an employer. Computer use is especially higher among older than younger employees, particularly those using a home computer.
This MetaFAQs reports on the penetration of a smartphone, computer, home computer, work/employer-provided computer, or tablet among employees in the US and those in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, or China. Trending data spans 2019 through 2022.
Shift in employee device hours and devices
Since the start of the pandemic, employees have needed to make tremendous changes. Employees in information-focused occupations and those needing to shift how they communicate relied on their connected devices to get work done. A growing number of employees lost access to an employer-provided computer. Many turned to using home computers for work, while yet others turned more often to their smartphones. Despite the challenges and changes, employees worldwide have managed to use their collection of devices for as many total hours while simultaneously using fewer devices.
This MetaFAQs reports on the usage levels of connected devices – smartphones, work computers, home computers, and tablets among employees in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China. Trending data spans from 2019 through 2022.
Technology penetration among American employees, generations, and remote workers
Older adults and those working at larger firms have more technology products than other online Americans, with a few notable exceptions. Americans working from home have higher computer use than other Americans, including home-owned PCs. This MetaFAQs reports several highlights from the published TUP tables focused on the key technology devices Americans actively use. This table set is labeled 250 DEV_KEY, and the selected tables for this MetaFAQs are split by age group, employer size, and work-from-home status. It specifically focuses on the key device metrics which show the penetration of smartphones, computers, tablets, game consoles, and printers. It further splits out iPhones from Android smartphones and home computers from those provided by employers or others such as school or library computers.
Windows and Apple computers decline in use while iPhone and Androids battle
Online adults around the world have continued to use fewer devices than in the past. Computers have been declining in use both in numbers and overall market penetration. Windows PCs have continued their trend of being used by fewer adults, as smartphones grow in their breadth of usage. This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults using Windows PCs, Apple Macs, Apple iPhones, Android smartphones, Apple iPads, Android tablets, and Windows tablets.
Smartphones continue displacing computers as primary device
Smartphones have continued to grow in use as the primary device among many, but not all, online adults. Online adults in the US and UK reach first for their smartphones, unlike adults in Germany and Japan. This MetaFAQs reports on the primary device in use by online adults – the smartphone, feature phone, computer, tablet, or game console that they use the most often. It includes online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, and Japan.
Which activities are primarily done using smartphones, computers, or game consoles?
Smartphones have continued to expand in their use as Americans’ primary connected devices, displacing home and work computers. However, some activities are done primarily with home computers, work computers, and game consoles. Most computer-focused activities are being done by somewhat older Americans, while immersive gaming is done by younger Americans using game consoles.
This TUPdate looks at the primary types of devices used for a wide range of activities: shopping, entertainment, work-related activities, productivity, social networking, cloud storage, communication, and many others. These have been split by age group.