Smartphones and computers are top of mind for near-term purchases by nearly half of American online adults. Laptops lead desktops and tablets. Purchase plans for home printers are very low. This MetaFAQs reports on the percent of American adults who are planning to buy specific types of technology products in the next 12 months. The products include home computers, smartphones, laptops, desktops, tablets, wearables, and printers.
Trend in weekly hours with connected devices
In 2020, COVID-19 and related shutdowns drove up the average number of hours spent on devices around the world. Average device usage has been on a downward trend ever since. Despite this, we continue to see a strong long-term trend of 40-60 hours per week of usage. This MetaFAQs considers how frequently Americans and global device users use their PCs, smartphones, and tablets. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0827_hour] in TUP Lenses: Devices, PCs, Mobile Phones, Tablets.
Foldable smartphone early adopters
Foldables – smartphones with screens that can be folded – have received substantial media attention while actual sales have been limited. MetaFacts tested the actual acceptance of foldable smartphones among the general online public. (Note: This survey is of the general online public, not only of early adopters, technology enthusiasts, or influencers.) MetaFacts added one question to the annual TUP/Technology User Profile questionnaire and we found 121 respondents that report using a foldable smartphone out of 13,641 online adult respondents across the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. The highest share of usage was for Huawei foldable in China.
This sample size is too tiny to profile or size foldables users definitively. Treat the following as directional about the earliest foldables adopters. We can use these research results as confirmation that actual current foldables usage is minimal.
Consumer tech sentiment weakened
Forward consumer sentiment for buying technology products has weakened substantially in the last year, impacting many products from computers to Apple Watch. This MetaFAQs reports on the change in purchase plans between 2021 and 2022 for many products: smartphones, laptops, desktops, wearables, printers, and Chromebooks.
Trends in webcam and video calls/meetings usage
Are video calls and meetings as widespread as tech media implies? How much have webcams and video calls and meetings reached into the everyday experience of the average online adult? This MetaFAQs reports on the usage trend since before the pandemic for online adults in the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan. It further splits video calling/conferencing by smartphone, home PC, or work PC. Furthermore, because change has not affected everyone the same, it details the trend among life stage segments – employment status, age group, and presence of children.
Profile of Americans with the oldest iPhones
As iPhones continue to lead in innovation, who’s staying with the older models? Americans with the oldest iPhones make up 14% of all online American adults. This MetaFAQs profiles those with the oldest iPhones by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender, household size, educational attainment, and technology ecosystem entrenchment. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0812_old_] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones, Devices, User Profile, Technology Ecosystems.
Profile of Americans who recently acquired a smartphone
In tech circles, it seems you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a smartphone. But which Americans are getting the newest phones depends on various factors. 18% of all online American adults recently acquired a smartphone. This MetaFAQs profiles those with new phones by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; household composition; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); and technology ecosystem entrenchment. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0811_new_] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones, Devices, User Profile.
Profile of Americans with the oldest feature phones
Every day brings a new smartphone and feature phone innovation—but which Americans are resisting the present and relying on older feature phones? 8.8 million, 4% of all online American adults, use the oldest feature phones, and age and household size play a large role in determining whether a user sticks with the old or upgrades to the new. This MetaFAQs profiles Americans who use the oldest feature phones by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: Age and gender; employment status; household size; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); and technology ecosystem involvement. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0808_old] in TUP Lenses: Devices; Mobile Phones; User Profile.
Profile of Americans who recently acquired a feature phone
Out with the old, and in with the new? 6.1 million Americans (3% of all online American adults) recently upgraded to a new phone – a new feature phone and not a smartphone. This MetaFAQ profiles Americans who recently acquired a feature phone by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; employment status; household size; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); technology ecosystem involvement or entrenchment; game-playing on connected devices; use of competitive game consoles; and use of a VR headset. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0807_new_] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones; Technology Ecosystems; Devices; User Profile.
Profile of Americans with the oldest tablets
Tablets have the opportunity to return to broader use, and yet even long-time users are not keeping up with the newest models. Who’s holding onto the oldest? 10% of all online American adults are using the oldest tablets. This MetaFAQs profiles online Americans with the oldest tablets by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender; employment status; life stage (age, employment status, presence of children); and technology ecosystem entrenchment. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0806_old] in TUP Lenses: Devices, Tablets, User Profile.