Smartphones in your hands, headphones in your ears, and a laptop in your bag – all set to go out with your mobile devices, whether you are on your way to work in London or to meet friends at a café in Edinburgh. Indeed, mobile devices are not, as the name might suggest, devices that move, but electronic devices that can be held easily in hand and designed focusing on portability. In the United Kingdom, such devices are among the
, contributing to the rapid growth of the respective markets, from the older smartphone to the younger wearable industries.
Smartphones and tablets for all ages
Over the past decade, the
number of smartphone users in the UK has sharply increased, with forecasts suggesting it will reach over 62.5 million by 2029. As easily imaginable,
these devices are common among all age groups, from teenagers to elderly. In 2023, around 70 percent of British aged 65 and above used a smartphone, with this percentage increasing to over 90 percent for younger people.
Even if at a lower rate, tablet computers are also popular among all age categories in the country, but
ownership is highest among those aged between 35 and 44 years. Although consumers’ interest in such devices has grown in recent years, as shown by the increasing share of users,
tablet sales are forecast to decrease in the future, dropping to just under one billion U.S. dollars by 2028.
Apple leads the mobile device market in the UK
In terms of vendors, Apple and Samsung dominate the smartphone and tablet markets in the UK. Particularly,
Apple controlled over half of the smartphone market in 2023, while Samsung occupied around 30 percent. As for tablets,
Apple is also by far the leading vendor, holding a market share of almost 60 percent. However, the American giant has witnessed a market share decrease, with other companies, such as Samsung and Amazon, improving their offerings and acquiring larger slices of the market. Furthermore, Apple dominates the UK wearable industry, with
Apple Watches being the most popular smartwatches in the UK in 2024.
The exciting future of mobile devices
Given the pace at which technology improves, it is hard to know what the future holds for mobile devices. However, vendors will certainly keep offering slim and innovative portable devices, such as
AI gadgets, easing the life of consumers always on the go.
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