Game consoles get most of the attention in the gaming market. Many more online adults actively play immersive or other games using their connected devices – smartphones, tablets, or computers – than use game consoles. Outside of the US, Windows PCs outnumber smartphones as the game-playing platform of choice, especially in Germany and Japan. This TUP analysis reports the number of online adults actively playing immersive or other games by platform type and country.
The only set of connected devices Americans use
Since 2018 and through the pandemic, fewer online Americans have been using computers, game consoles, feature phones, and tablets. Smartphones, already near saturation levels, have continued to increase market penetration.
Is the smartphone headed towards being the last device standing, or is there some other device combination that is more widely used?
This TUPdate looks at the market penetration of key devices – computers, smartphones, feature phones, game consoles, and tablets – among American adults. Beyond their overall penetration rates, this analysis dives deeper into identifying the device combinations used by three of four American adults, and profiling who uses them.
Smartphone usage by socioeconomic groups
A surging group of older Americans has adopted smartphones, driving up the average age of smartphone users. Market growth took place among upper and lower socioeconomic groups, balancing many past inequities. While the younger Gen Z generation is often envisioned as exclusively using newer technology, economic realities have contributed to the temporary decline in smartphone use.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a smartphone along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
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.
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.
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.
Fading viral boost to feature phones stalls smartphone sovereignty
Smartphones have nearly reached their market saturation point. Responses to the pandemic and economy boosted the use of feature phones above their long-trending decline. This MetaFacts reports on the penetration rate of smartphones and feature phones among online adults in the US, Germany, UK, Germany, and China. It also details the overlap of smartphone and feature phone use.
Americans have big plans for tech purchases
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.