US Smartphones and Accessories Market Report 2023

Understand the current trends and opportunities within the smartphones and accessories category in the US market. Use Mintel’s research to become more informed and tackle challenges in your industry. This report reveals an overview of the smartphone market currently, how exactly economic instability has affected smartphone consumer behavior, and ways for brands and companies to adjust to the current consumer climate. Read on to discover our insights.

Smartphone Market Landscape

As smartphone ownership reaches saturation in the US, usage continues to shift to messaging, social sharing, entertainment, and life management. Despite this, only half of consumers plan to buy a new device in the next year, as new models lack the excitement of years prior.

US adults are also choosing to prolong the life of their phones until damage or poor functionality necessitates replacement. As economic conditions improve, brands will want to incentivize upgrades out of choice, enjoyment, and pleasure – not just necessity.

Smartphone Market Trends and Accessories Statistics

Economic instability appears to be prolonging the time between phone purchases. This report reveals that there has been a decrease in consumers who have purchased a new smartphone in the past 6 months. While this behavior shift may be situational, it’s not likely to be short lived. As discussed, consumers are holding onto their phones until an issue with functionality negatively impacts operation.

In terms of accessories and wearable technology trends, the most reported wearable technology owned and synced with smartphones are wireless earbuds, followed by smartwatches, and wireless headphones. These products eclipse others, such as activity trackers, which points to the strong draw of products that are positioned as contributing to and enhancing the phone experience.

• Smartphone consumer behavior: 40% of consumers cite a broken or shattered screen as the reason to buy a new smartphone, which is more than for other factors such as new models being released.
• Smartphone consumer trends: 23% of consumers bought a new smartphone in the past 6 months (December 2022), down from 26% (March 2020).
• Wearable technology trends: 45% of smartphone users own wireless earbuds, leading the accessories and wearable technology market for tech owned and synced with smartphones.

Find further insight, such as smartphone purchasing behaviors by age group, in the full report, alongside expert analysis.

Smartphone and Accessories Market Opportunities

US consumers are holding onto their smartphones for longer, and this limits revenue generation from smartphone sales. However, there is an opportunity here for development and sales of equipment and accessories that extend phone life, such as screen protectors, phone cases and external batteries.

Long battery duration is followed by quick charging for desired battery and charging related features. Given that a dead battery renders a phone useless for consumers – two-thirds of whom keep their smartphone with them at all times – brands can find resonance with consumers by emphasizing battery advantages. Similarly, beyond inherent battery quality, brands can promote battery-related accessories development, such as external batteries, quick charging components, and wireless chargers.

Find a comprehensive breakdown of the opportunities and challenges in the smartphone and accessories market in the full report. Or, browse our extensive technology market research to find exactly what you’re looking for.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas

• Smartphone purchase history and purchase intent.
• 5G capable smartphone ownership and interest.
• Motivations for purchasing a smartphone.
• Smartphone formats of interest.
• Wearable technology ownership.
• Smartphones and accessories attitudes and behavior.

Covered in this Report

Brands: Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Google, LG, HTC, Sony, Blackberry, and more.
Phones/accessories: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola ThinkPhone, Sony Xperia, Sony LinkBuds, SHIFTphone, SafeSleeve, Motorola Rzr, and more.

Expert Analysis from a Lifestyles Specialist

This report, written by Fiona O’Donnell, a leading analyst in the lifestyles sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the smartphone and accessories market and add expert context to the numbers.

US adults are increasingly reliant on their smartphones, making the devices a necessity. Consumer dependence helps to buffer the category from steep losses amid consumer cost-cutting; however, shoppers are making cost-savings choices that suggest an openness to varying functionality and brands that help them rein in their tech spend.

Fiona O’Donnell
Senior Director – US Reports