2025
9
UK Technology Trends: Autumn 2025
2025-09-29T16:01:34+00:00
REP2D220E8A_D0ED_4BCB_B92A_A538B97DC359
2195
187170
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Report
en_GB
This report looks at the following areas: Smartphone ownership, operating system, app usage and 5G connectivity Smartphone and other recent digital activities Ownership of devices across computing, gaming, TV and…
UK
Technology
simple

UK Technology Trends: Autumn 2025

This report looks at the following areas:

  • Smartphone ownership, operating system, app usage and 5G connectivity
  • Smartphone and other recent digital activities
  • Ownership of devices across computing, gaming, TV and media
  • Recent and planned purchases of technology devices
  • Attitudes towards rising technology prices

With the spectre of price rises looming, mid-range devices will become more appealing. There will still be opportunities to target early adopters with premium products.

Joe Birch, Senior Technology and Leisure Analyst

Collapse All
    • Opportunities for the technology market
  1. SPECIAL FOCUS – CONSUMER ATTITUDES TOWARDS POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGY PRICE RISES

    • Challenger brands could have an opportunity in tariff uncertainty
    • Graph 1: attitudes towards rising prices of technology products, 2025
    • Mid-range and previous year’s flagships can stand to benefit amidst higher prices
    • Graph 2: attitudes towards technology brands and rising prices, 2025
    • Consumers will look for durable and future-proofed products
    • Graph 3: attitudes towards technology brands and rising prices, 2025
    • For the hesitant purchaser, creative bundling can drive appeal
    • Graph 4: attitudes towards technology brands and rising prices, 2025
  2. PURCHASING ACTIVITY

    • Wireless earbuds see the largest purchase increase since April, while smartphones remain the key planned tech purchase
    • Graph 5: technology products bought in the last three months, 2025
    • Graph 6: plans to buy technology products in the next three months, 2025
  3. SMARTPHONES

    • Smartphone ownership is near universal among under-65s
    • Graph 7: smartphone ownership, by age, 2025
    • 5G take-up
    • 5G momentum continues, while Android sees further incremental gains
    • Graph 8: 5G smartphone connectivity, 2022-25
    • Graph 9: smartphone operating system, by generation, 2025
    • Smartphone usage
    • QR codes can drive personalised experiences
    • Graph 10: smartphone activities in the last three months, 2025
    • Gen Z’s screen shift: less is more in digital messaging
    • Graph 11: cut down on screen time in the last three months, by generation, 2025
  4. WEARABLES

    • Wireless over-ear headphones see jump in ownership as previous flagship models get significant discounts
    • Graph 12: wearables ownership, 2024-25
    • Men drive ownership of wearable technology
    • Graph 13: wearables ownership, by gender. 2025
    • Older consumers driving uptake in tracking exercise and diet
    • Graph 14: use of devices to track exercise or diet in the last three months, by generation, 2025
  5. COMPUTERS

    • Opportunity to encourage future-proofing as Windows 10 support ends
    • Graph 15: computing device ownership, 2024-25
    • Younger Brits are the biggest owners of hybrid laptops, but standard laptops still lead the way
    • Graph 16: personal laptop ownership, by generation, 2025
    • Graph 17: desktop computer in the household, by generation, 2025
    • New AI-powered internet browser entrants will shake up the market
    • Graph 18: internet browser usage, 2025
    • AI will reshape web behaviour from ‘search’ to ‘do’ engines
  6. TV AND MEDIA DEVICES

    • Say the word: smart speakers get the gen AI overhaul consumers have been waiting for
    • Graph 19: media devices in the household, 2025
    • Smart home will benefit from lower entry prices and greater utility of hardware
    • Graph 20: use of smart home devices in the last three months, by generation, 2025
  7. GAMING

    • Increase in games console ownership among Older Millennials
    • Graph 21: household ownership of static games consoles, by generation, 2025
    • Graph 22: personal ownership of portable games consoles, by generation, 2025
    • Mobile gaming is being driven by older audiences
    • Graph 23: played games on a smartphone in the last three months, by generation, 2025
  8. APPENDIX

    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Generations
    • Consumer research methodology

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