The Pew Internet Center released new data regarding Americans and their ownership of smartphones. The full report can be read here. The data shows us a rise in the percentage of Americans who own smartphones over the past three years , as well as how this data relates to consumer gender, age, race, income level, and education. It also gives us insight as to which of the two major phones, iPhone or Android, are preferred by Americans.
As of 2013, 56% of Americans who claim to own a cell phone own a smartphone, and almost half of the 91% of the American population which owns a cell phone. This trend has been increasing over the past two years at a rapid pace; back in 2011, only 35% of Americans reported to own a smartphone. As of 2013, 35% of Americans now own more basic mobile phones.
Only 9% of the population does not own cell phones, and this trend has also been falling since 2011, when 17% of the nation did not own cell phones.
Men seem to have more smartphones, 59% of the smartphone owners in the country are men. 53% are women.
Smartphone ownership is highest among the youngest three age brackets surveyed: 79% of Americans ages 18-24 own smartphones; 81% of Americans 25-34 own smartphones; and 69% of Americans 35-44. Ownership drops modestly among the 55-64 age, with only 39% of them owning smartphones. Only 18% of 65-plus Americans own smartphones.
When it comes to race and ethnicity, black Americans account for the highest smartphone ownership. 64% of black Americans own smartphones. 60% of Hispanics own smartphones, and 53% of whites own smartphones. No other race categories are accounted for in this survey.
Smartphone ownership is also affected by education levels, so it’s no surprise that 70% of college educated persons own smartphones; 60% of respondents who completed some college own smartphones. On the other hand, those that failed to graduate high school and those that never went beyond high school own far fewer smartphones, only 36% of those who have less than high school education own one.
Education and income generally correlate, and it’s no surprise that over half the population in income brackets which make over $30,000 a year owns smartphones, with 78% of people in the $75,000-plus income bracket owning smartphones. Almost 45% of Americans who make under $30,000 a year owns a smartphone.
Geography, to a small degree, has an impact on ownership. 59% suburban and urban respondents own smartphones, whereas only 40% of rural respondents own smartphones.
When it comes to age and its relation to income and ownership, the survey notes that smartphone adoption seems to be universal among people in the 18-29 years old category. 77% of people in this age range who have an income level below $30,000 own smartphones. In contrast, among people 65-plus, only 43% of these individuals who make $75,000 or more own smartphones.
The Android seems to be the platform of choice in 2013, with 28% of smartphone owners claiming they own Android based phones. Then 25% own iPhones. The Windows mobile platform has gradually declined in users from 2011, where it had 10% of the smartphone users. Windows now accounts for 4% of smartphone operating systems. Blackberry seems to be on its last legs, holding out at 1%.
Further data regarding the Android and iPhone comparison reveals some more interesting tidbits.
Men slightly prefer Android devices over the iPhone (31% of men say that they use an Android, in comparison to women who are split evenly between the Android and the iPhone). Androids are more popular among younger population brackets. For consumers 55 and older, the iPhone wins out. Whites and Hispanics both seem to be equal adapters of either device, however, blacks show an overwhelming preference toward Android devices. 42% of blacks reported that they use an Android, with only 16% reporting use of the iPhone.
Lastly, when it comes to education and income with operating systems, the iPhone is much more popular among people with higher levels of education. 38% of people with college and beyond education reported using an iPhone, only 29% of these people reported using an Android. 40% of people making $75,000 in income use iPhones, only 31% of these people use Androids.
This survey tells us multiple things. It suggests that the “dumbphone” is gradually on its way out in the U.S., and that the era of not having a cellular phone is gradually dimming. For youth and minorities, it seems that embracing the mobile device is much more common. The urban and suburban areas of the country are much more mobile than the rural areas, as well. Lastly, the Blackberry and Windows devices seem to be going the way of the dinosaur, and the iPhone seems to be more of a luxury good than the everyman’s mobile device.
[Image Via nathanborror]
Elaine Rita Mendus is a undergraduate student working on graduating college (someday soon). Her career interests include geopolitics, the Hispanic community, and urban planning. She really wouldn't mind ending up a scriptwriter though...
