Fun is a persistent driver of technology usage, especially playing games. However, not all age generations are as interested in playing games as others are. Also, the devices people choose to play games on are evolving, with software becoming more efficient, graphics getting better, and connections getting faster. Also, the adoption of mobile devices, especially smartphones, has made game-playing more easily in reach to even casual gamers.
Approach: This MetaFAQs is based on the surveys of 52,618 respondents in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and China from 2021 through 2024. In the TUP/Technology User Profile questionnaire, we asked respondents to specific the activities they do regularly with their devices – smartphones, feature phones, computers, tablets, and game consoles. Among those activities are playing immersive/action games and other games. In addition, we gathered demographics such as age which allows us to group results into generations.
The results in this MetaFAQs include tables for 2021 through 2024 detailing the active use of the following activities and devices by country and generation: Online adults (000), Any smartphone, Any PC, Any home PC, Any game console, Any tablet, Any gaming desktop or laptop PC (NET), Any VR headset, Any device – play a game (NET), Any mobile device – game-playing (Net), Any smartphone – game-playing (Net) , Any PC game-playing or gaming PC (Net), Any PC – game-playing (Net), Any home PC – game-playing (Net), Any game console – game-playing (Net), Any tablet – play a game (NET), Any gaming PC – game-playing (Net)
The aging home computer installed base as most generations delay refreshing
Background:
Headwinds have faced home computers for years. Prior to the pandemic, adults worldwide were relying less on home computers and more on smartphones, tablets, or for some of the employed, work computers. With the onset of the pandemic, many employees, students, and parents turned to home computers for entertainment, shopping, or to get work done. Now, as many employees and students are returning to previously-established routines, home computer usage levels are returning to the established long-term trend.
Approach:
MetaFacts surveyed 81,608 online adults in the US, Germany, UK, and Japan from 2018 through 2024 as part of its annual TUP/Technology User Profile study. Within the survey, as part of detailing the multiple devices that respondents regularly use – smartphones, computers, tablets, and game consoles – we have them report if they are using a home computer, and how recently they acquired it.
The iPhone and Android smartphone switchers, holders, and refreshers
The undecided are scrutinized not only in the political realm. The switchers wavering between iPhone and Android smartphones are a small yet significant group of interest. Add to that the remaining group of users who are (finally) moving from their feature phones to smartphones, and there is much movement in the marketplace.
The smartphone market has evolved into replacement mode. Both Apple and Android smartphone makers know too well that a user beginning with their ecosystem is no guarantee that they will continue.
Many factors also affect whether smartphone users upgrade their smartphones. In China, in particular, a host of influences has affected purchase plans. These include shifts in the economy, nationalistic pressures, and increased challenges from Apple’s rivals based in China, such as Huawei and Xiaomi. Although speeds and feeds have been the fascination of technology media, users have other qualities in mind when they choose a platform. This is especially true for first-time smartphone users.
This analysis reports on the number of adults by their current and planned status, identifying the size of the market for those who intend to switch, plan to hold, are new to the market, and all other combinations of current and intended smartphone platforms.
Approach
To help measure the smartphone switcher market, we divided online adults into 16 groups. These are based on their usage and upcoming purchase plans for acquiring an iPhone or Android smartphone. Our analysis is of all online adults and includes adults who do not actively use smartphones, will be new to smartphones, and those who use more than one type. This TUPdate is based on the surveys of 13,561 online adults in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and China in August 2024. As part of the TUP/Technology User Profile questionnaire, we asked respondents to identify each smartphone they actively use, including its brand, operating system, and many other details. We also gathered their technology purchase plans for the upcoming twelve months, including purchase intentions for iPhone and Android smartphones.
The shock undermining monoculture or ecosystem dominance
The recent cybersecurity event involving Microsoft and Crowdstrike garnered much attention. It also renewed concern among consumers who may worry their Windows devices will be next to fail.
This TUPdate double-clicks on the devices people use in addition to a single computer, smartphone, or tablet. It splits out the share of online adults around the world (in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China) who use a computer, Windows 11 PC, Windows 10 or earlier PC, or Apple computer by the percentage of those who use other devices such as iPhones or Android tablets. It splits out the share of smartphone, iPhone, and Android smartphone users who use computers with Windows 11, 10, or earlier versions, Apple computers, iPads, or Android tablets. It also reports the multi-year shift in how many devices people use regularly. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0723_mono] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; Mobile Phones; Tablets; Technology Ecosystems
Growing use of refurbished tech varies by country and age generation
The active use of used or refurbished technology is a growing practice among most countries surveyed. However, there are generational trends that differ from one country to another. In the US, later generations (Gen Z) have higher rates of using used or refurbished home computers or smartphones. In contrast, in the UK and Japan, different age generations have higher usage rates of used or refurbished home computers or smartphones.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of smartphone users who use a used or refurbished smartphone, the percentage of home computer users who use a used or refurbished computer, and details the trend from 2019 to 2023 by country and age generation. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0312_reft] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; Mobile Phones; User Profile; Game Consoles, Gaming PCs, and Game-Playing
Profile of Americans who sell things online
Nearly a fourth of online Americans regularly sell things online, making it widespread enough to be of interest, yet rare enough not to be mainstream. The type of people selling things online tend to be younger, from later generations, and gainfully employed.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online Americans who regularly sell things online split by sociodemographic characteristics: employment status, presence of children, age group, generation, gender, and generational life phase. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0306_sell] in TUP Lenses: Activities; User Profile
Used and refurbished smartphones are increasing in share, especially among the young
Used or refurbished smartphones are a small but growing trend across all countries surveyed. Younger adults are using them at a higher rate. In the UK, rates have also risen among smartphone users aged 50 and up. Overall rates are highest in the UK and Germany.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of smartphone users actively using a used or refurbished smartphone, split by country and age group. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0302_yret] in TUP Lenses: Devices; Mobile Phones; User Profile
Gen Z and millennials are the strongest consumers of printing services
Gen Z and millennials live life on the move, and how they print is no exception. These generations are twice as likely to use retail or online printing services as Gen X adults and four times as likely as the earlier Boomer/Silent generations.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China who use self-service store kiosks, retail printing outlets, or online printing services, split by generational age groups. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0227_serv] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile
In most countries, age is a factor explaining declining active printer use
Even the most generous measure of printer use – whether any adult has used any printer in the prior 90 days – shows a substantial decline. In most countries surveyed, the deepest drop in active printer use has been among younger adults.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults actively using a printer split by country (US, Germany, UK, Japan, China) and age group (18-24, 25-34, 35-49, 50+). Report [TUP_doc_2024_0218_agpt] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile
How American generations use smartphones
People continue to engrain smartphones further into their lives, relying on them for communication and many other activities. No single communication mode has reached singularity, and instead the top activities include text messaging, personal email, and even personal phone calls. Later generations have the highest regular use of social networking activity, while earlier generations are increasingly using smartphones for online shopping and banking. Video calls have only emerged as a top activity among one generational group.
This MetaFAQ reports on how Americans use smartphones. It shows the percentage of Americans doing any of the top ten smartphone activities. Further, it compares these percentages to how smartphone users use them worldwide. For Americans, it also splits these activities by generational group, identifying each group’s top ten activities and the three activities that have expanded the most since 2019. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0212_spac] in TUP Lenses: Devices; PCs; Mobile Phones; Activities; Communication