Economic pressures have supported younger adults, often with lower employment rates and limited funds, in turning toward acquiring technology from friends, family, or the refurbished device market. Refurbished or used smartphones are more widely used in the UK than in many other countries. Usage is especially high among adults aged 18 to 24 as compared to other age groups, a finding that is consistent across the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and China. Generally, the use of a used/refurbished smartphone shrinks with age.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of smartphone users who are using a used/refurbished smartphone by country. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0121_yref] in TUP Lenses: Devices; Mobile Phones; User Profile
Lost phone? Tech solution finds niche and then plateaus.
Who hasn’t misplaced their phone or keys or wondered where their luggage was?
Using technology to help find items has reached a plateau. The percentage of online adults using a wireless item tracker such as Tile or Apple’s AirTag has remained flat between 2021 and 2023. Overall global active usage has subsided from one in six to one in eight online adults. Active penetration rates have dropped among groups such as Gen Z adults in the US, UK, Germany, and China.
This may have seemed like yet another device to help attract users into adopting or staying with technology ecosystems. It’s too early to see if it’s making a difference. The market penetration is too small.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China who actively use a wireless item tracker such as from Tile or Apple’s AirTag. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1025_tile] in TUP Lenses: Consumer Electronics; Technology Ecosystems
Long-term smartphone trends and generational shifts – 2011 to 2022 – US
Smartphones have risen to ubiquity from 2011 to 2022, although some generations of Americans have been faster to adopt. Apple iPhones or Android smartphones are stronger among some generations than others. A growing number of Americans are using their smartphones for activities formerly dominant on home computers and tablets, such as personal email and Internet browsing.
This MetaFAQs reports on the penetration of mobile phones, smartphones, Apple iPhones, and Android smartphones from 2011 through 2022, split by generational age group: Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silent/Greatest. Furthermore, it reports on the top five smartphone activities overall and for each of these generations.
American first-time and repeat buyer purchase plans
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.
Which is winning consumer interest – iPhone or Android smartphones?
Forward-looking interest is stronger for Apple iPhones than for Android smartphones across most countries surveyed. Apple is strongest among younger adults and adults of all ages currently working from home. This MetaFAQs reports the smartphone purchase plans for the next 12 months among online adults in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China.
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.
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 smartphones
There’s a growing divide between those who remain up to date with their smartphones and those who cling to the older models. This report looks at those who own the oldest smartphones—29% of all online Americans. This MetaFAQs profiles online Americans with the oldest smartphones by several critical demographic and behavioral factors distinctive from the average American online adult: age and gender, employment status, and technology ecosystem entrenchment. Report [TUP_doc_2022_0804_old] in TUP Lenses: Mobile Phones, Devices, User Profile.
Highlights: PCs
PCs continue to hold a central role among online adults, especially as a substantial number work from home or find ways to stay connected. However, PC users are not all the same in the type of PC they use nor how they use them. This TUP Highlights report details the shifting market penetration of PCs, how ownership has changed, and which brands are leading. It details how often PCs are being used as well as how they are being used for everything from remote work to communication, shopping, and entertainment.