The smartphone penetration rate in the United Kingdom has increased each year, reaching an overall figure of 94 percent in 2023. Those aged between 24 and 34 and 35 and 54 years recorded the highest smartphone penetration rate.
Smartphones are mobile phones that contain an operating system with features of a personal computer. In the late 2000s smartphones started to become much more wide spread. The technological advances that have been made since then are impressive to say the least. New features are available with every new smartphone model that comes out, and the majority of smartphone owners report purchasing a new smartphone because their current device is out of date. Although smartphones have brought the power of information to the general population at their fingertips, they have also brought some negative effects with them. Accidents while driving have been on the rise, although the vast majority of motorists believe it is unacceptable to even take a short look at a phone while driving.
Smartphone ownership penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012-2023, by age
Characteristic
16-24
25-34
35-54
55-64
65+
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* n (2012) = 3,772; n (2013) = 3,750; n (2014) = 3,740; n(2016) = 3,737; n(2017) = 3,743); n(2018) = 3,730; n(2020)=3,679; n(2021)=2,875.
During the survey, this question was posed as follows: "Are any of the mobile phones in your household a smartphone?"
**As of 2016, the source only provides four age groups with the oldest being 55+.As of 2023, the source reintroduced the 65+ group.
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Ofcom. (August 6, 2023). Smartphone ownership penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012-2023, by age [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 23, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/271851/smartphone-owners-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-age/
Ofcom. "Smartphone ownership penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012-2023, by age." Chart. August 6, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271851/smartphone-owners-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-age/
Ofcom. (2023). Smartphone ownership penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012-2023, by age. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271851/smartphone-owners-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-age/
Ofcom. "Smartphone Ownership Penetration in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2012-2023, by Age." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Aug 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/271851/smartphone-owners-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-age/
Ofcom, Smartphone ownership penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012-2023, by age Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/271851/smartphone-owners-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-age/ (last visited August 23, 2024)
Smartphone ownership penetration in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012-2023, by age [Graph], Ofcom, August 6, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/271851/smartphone-owners-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-age/