This report looks at the following areas:
- Consumers’ device payment habits and views on future payment technologies
- 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
Half of people are now using device payments and smartphone payments are now the norm for most younger consumers.
Adrian Reynolds, Associate Director
Collapse All
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- Opportunities for the technology market
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SPECIAL FOCUS – PAYMENT TECHNOLOGIES
- Half of people have made payments with devices recently
- Graph 1: devices used to make payments in the last three months, 2024
- Device payments have become the norm for younger consumers
- Smartphone payments have yet to cut through with older consumers
- Graph 2: use of smartphones and smartwatches to make payments in the last three months, by generation, 2024
- Samsung launches smart ring, but it will remain a niche payment option
- Consumers envisage a future of biometric payments
- Graph 3: payment technologies that consumers believe will become popular in the next five years, 2024
- Finger and palm print payments are likely to gain more traction than facial recognition
- Graph 4: biometric payments becoming popular in the next five years, by generation, 2024
- There is some belief in checkout-free stores but the technology has so far focused on London
- The ultimate always-on personalised payment method or a step too far?
- There is little short term belief in cryptocurrency as a viable payment method
- Graph 5: belief in cryptocurrency becoming a popular payment method in the next five years, by generation, 2024
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Purchasing Activity
- Despite universal ownership, smartphones continue to dominate sales with the focus on the replacements and upgrades
- Graph 6: technology products bought in the last three months, 2024
- Graph 7: plans to buy technology products in the next three months, 2024
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Smartphones
- Smartphones are nearly ubiquitous
- Graph 8: smartphone ownership, by age, 2024
- Uptake of 5G contracts continues to creep up
- Graph 9: 5G smartphone connectivity, 2021-24
- Android smartphones lead the way amongst all generations except Gen Z
- Graph 10: smartphone operating system, by generation, 2024
- Shopping and streaming lead the way in smartphone activities
- Graph 11: mobile apps used in the last three months, 2024
- The vast majority of Gen Z are using video calls
- Graph 12: smartphone activities in the last three months, 2024
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Wearables
- Wireless headphones have become a near essential technology for young consumers
- Graph 13: wearables ownership, 2024
- Smartwatch owners are prioritising health and wellbeing features
- Smartwatch owners are embracing innovation
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Computers
- Laptops are the second-most owned device after smartphones
- Laptops are a near-essential device for younger consumers
- Graph 14: desktop computer in the household, by generation, 2024
- Graph 15: personal laptop ownership, by generation, 2024
- The majority of those with desktops in the home own also other computing devices
- Graph 16: computing ownership, NET, 2024
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TV and Media Devices
- Over half of households with televisions now have at least 4K resolution
- Despite high ownership of modern, high resolution TVs, many younger people are adding streaming devices
- Graph 17: media devices in the household, 2024
- Gen Z and Millennials are upgrading broadband to support continued technological innovations
- Graph 18: upgraded broadband service in the last three months, by generation, 2024
- Younger consumers leading the smart home evolution, with half with having smart speakers
- Graph 19: household ownership of voice-controlled smart speakers, by generation, 2024
- Graph 20: use of smart home devices in the last three months, by generation, 2024
- Amazon Alexa’s lead highlights the popularity of voice-controlled smart speakers
- Nine in 10 of Gen Z are using voice assistants
- Graph 21: use of voice assistants in the last three months, by generation, 2024
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Gaming
- Ownership of games consoles remains high but is coming under pressure from mobile gaming
- The accessibility of mobile gaming has driven the market well beyond traditional gamers
- Graph 22: played games on a smartphone in the last three months, by generation, 2024
- VR headsets struggle for sales growth but the technology is increasingly available in out-of-home experiences
- Graph 23: use of VR headset in the last three months, by generation, 2024
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Appendix
- Abbreviations and terms
- Consumer research methodology
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