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.
Mobile Phones TUP Lens
Smartphones have rapidly, although not completely, replaced feature phones. Smartphone users have expanded their range of activities with new uses while also increasingly migrating activities from computers and tablets. This TUP Highlights Report profiles smartphones – their market penetration, user demographic profile, regular activities, usage profile, key competitors, and purchase plans.
This TUP Highlights report includes the following sections: penetration of smartphones versus feature phones, smartphone brand share, top activities for smartphones, smartphone carrier share, smartphone usage profile, trends in technology ecosystems, major activities for a market segment, and the profile of smartphone users.
User profile by technology ecosystem
The major technology ecosystems have each captured different market segments. This TUP MetaFAQs report details the current market penetration of Windows, Apple OS devices, and Google OS devices by age group, and work-from-home status within the US and across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan.
Smartphone brand share by country [MetaFAQs]
The market share of actively used smartphones varies substantially by country. Apple leads where Samsung or Huawei don’t, and vice versa. This MetaFAQs reports on the share of active installed based on online adults in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China’s most-educated adults.
iPhone and Android smartphone purchase plans [TUPdate]
Fifty percent more online Americans plan to buy an iPhone than an Android smartphone.
Students and their technology
College students are visible users of technology devices. During the pandemic, their collection of actively used devices has shifted slightly. Worldwide, Windows PCs are the leading device followed by iPhones, which are reaching more students. Among Americans, Apple OS devices top the list, partly due to broader iPhone penetration.
Shifts in Apple and Windows penetration among Americans [MetaFAQs]
Apple’s PC/Mac penetration has grown while Windows has shrunk. Globally, iPhone penetration has grown as Androids have subsided – both have been stable among online Americans. Globally, iPad penetration has withdrawn as have non-Apple tablets.