Smartphones are now in 80 per cent of US homes, making them the second-most popular technology device behind TVs.
According to new research by the Consumer Technology Association, US consumers now own 27 million more smartphones than they did in 2016, an increase of six per cent year-on-year.
TVs still rule the roost, with almost every household (96 per cent) owning at least one TV. Additionally, from 2016 to 2017, the US market saw an increase in the overall installed base of connected devices including smart home devices, smart TVs, wearables and wireless speakers.
Among emerging technologies, 4K Ultra HD television has seen the fastest growth in ownership. CTA’s research shows 16 per cent of US households now own a 4K UHD TV – up nine per cent YOY – and 11 per cent plan to purchase a 4K UHD TV in the coming year. Other emerging technologies expected to experience significant YOY ownership growth in the year to come include voice-activated digital assistants, drones and virtual reality headsets.
“Connectivity – the anytime/anywhere access to information and entertainment we now expect – is a driving trend of our time, supported by the continued growth we’ve seen in smartphone ownership,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA.
Steve Koenig, senior director of market research, CTA, added “Three of the top five most frequently owned technology devices are products with screens – televisions, smartphones and laptops – and those numbers will continue to grow as one-third of consumers tell us they’ll buy at least one smartphone in 2017, and one-fifth say they plan to buy a television or laptop in the coming year.”
US consumers are quickly embracing the rapid rise of today’s ‘screen culture,’ demonstrating their appetite for connected devices that enable easy and accessible consumption of content of all types.”
