Smartphone usage in the United Kingdom has increased across all age ranges since 2012, most noticeably among those aged 55-64 years of age. Whereas just nine percent of mobile phone users aged 55 to 64 years used a smartphone in 2012, this number rose to over 90 percent by 2023 and reached 93 percent in 2024. Smartphones are becoming more accessible As well as becoming more ubiquitous, smartphones are also becoming more accessible. In terms of price, the global average selling price of smartphones has fallen from 336.8 U.S. dollars in 2010, to 276.20 U.S. dollars in 2015. However, estimates available from 2019 predicted that the average selling price of smartphones worldwide will increase again and reach 317 U.S. dollars by 2021. The average selling price for smartphones in Europe was at around 373 euros in 2019. Smartphone usage in the UK Smartphones are the Swiss army knife of digital devices, with their capabilities limited by the creativity of developers as much as it is the technology contained in the phone. In 2017, communications were the most popular ways to use a phone, however, 87 percent of users report using camera apps frequently, 85 percent report frequent use of browser apps, and 68 percent report frequent use of navigation apps.

Mobile telephones have become increasingly relevant to many aspects of modern life, a phenomenon that is evidenced by the development in the rate of households owning a mobile telephone. Currently, approximately 93 percent of households in the United Kingdom (UK) own a mobile phone. That sits in stark contrast with 2000-2001, when less than half of all households in the UK reported owning a mobile telephone. Smartphones leading the charge Given their role as the digital swiss army knife of modern tech, it is no surprise that smartphones are behind much of the growth in this space. Smartphone adoption reached 78 percent during the first half of 2018, up from 29 percent at the beginning of 2011. Smartphone ownership drops off steeply for users aged 55 or older, with just 55 percent of residents in that age group reporting that they own a smartphone compared with 95 percent of people aged from 16 to 24 and 25 to 34 years of age.   Apple on top The smartphone market is mostly split between iOS and Android, with Apple emerging as the UK’s preferred smartphone manufacturer. In April 2023, the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 14 Pro Max claimed 41 percent of the market, taking each of the top three positions. 

The Wireless Telecommunications Carriers industry is highly concentrated, with four mobile network operators (MNOs) – EE, O2, Vodafone and Three – dominating the market. This means revenue is largely dictated by the performance of those top four MNOs. Higher consumer and business demand for wireless connectivity over wired telecoms has supported demand in recent years, as it's advancing to become faster and more reliable. However, revenue is expected to edge downwards at a compound annual rate of 1.2% to £16.9 billion over the five years through 2025-26. The shift in consumer preferences towards data-based communication, like Facebook and WhatsApp, over traditional voice calls and SMS, which have traditionally been higher revenue generators, has curbed revenue and intense competition on data deals, which has reduced average revenue per user (ARPU). Economic challenges and affordability issues among consumers have further strained revenue as companies adjust their offerings to remain competitive amid these pressures. MNOs have benefitted from heightened demand for post-paid smartphones and data services as technology demands more data, with average monthly data usage reaching 15.1 GB in 2024, according to Ofcom. Mobile phone usage and consumers seeking data services to use on their smartphones anytime, anywhere, have further boosted demand, and customer access has improved, with 96% of premises being accessible by 5G as of January 2025. However, external competition is increasing with the growing popularity of apps and fierce internal competition, contributing to the drop in revenue. Weak consumer confidence, falling average revenue per user (ARPU) and increasing regulation (including cuts in mobile termination rates) have made operating conditions difficult for wireless telecom providers. In 2025-26, revenue is set to drop by 1.4%, as consumers continue to shop arou nd for the cheapest deals, causing major price competition between providers. Revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.2% over the five years through 2030-31 to £17.9 billion. Continued growth in demand for data services and declining competition from wired telecommunications will support MNOs. As 5G networks expand further across the UK, demand for telecom services from businesses and consumers alike is slated to swell. The high capital investment required to maintain and expand the network will likely constrain wireless telecom providers' profitability in the short term, but it will improve product offerings in the long term. However, challenges remain; intense competition and market saturation will likely continue to cut into ARPU, constraining revenue growth, especially with a slew of new MVNOs set to enter the market and accelerate competition.

Demographics – Statistical data on Poland population, households, businesses, nominal GDP, nominal GDP per Capita, consumer price inflation, exchange rates (local currency and US dollar) Mobile subscriptions and penetration by population Mobile handset sales by quarter Mobile handset revenue and average selling price Mobile handset sales volume by: type of customer, category, price band, air interface, vendor, operating system and feature Mobile smartphone handset sales by: venfor, operating system and by feature Read More

Demographics – Statistical data on Japan population, households, businesses, nominal GDP, nominal GDP per Capita, consumer price inflation, exchange rates (local currency and US dollar) Mobile subscriptions and penetration by population Mobile handset sales by quarter Mobile handset revenue and average selling price Mobile handset sales volume by: type of customer, category, price band, air interface, vendor, operating system and feature Mobile smartphone handset sales by: venfor, operating system and by feature Read More

Demographics – Statistical data on Argentina population, households, businesses, nominal GDP, nominal GDP per Capita, consumer price inflation, exchange rates (local currency and US dollar) Mobile subscriptions and penetration by population Mobile handset sales by quarter Mobile handset revenue and average selling price Mobile handset sales volume by: type of customer, category, price band, air interface, vendor and by feature Read More

Demographics – Statistical data on Chile population, households, businesses, nominal GDP, nominal GDP per Capita, consumer price inflation, exchange rates (local currency and US dollar) Mobile subscriptions and penetration by population Mobile handset sales by quarter Mobile handset revenue and average selling price Mobile handset sales volume by: type of customer, category, price band, air interface, vendor and by feature Read More

Pyramid Research report "Honduras's Mobile Devices Market Analytics to 2020: Mobile Handset Sales by Category, Type of Customer, Price, Vendor, Features, Smartphones, OS, Technology and Generation" built using extensive market research carried out in telecommunication market of Honduras. The report provides a top-level overview of Mobile Devices / Handset sales volumes and value at various segment levels from 2011 through 2020. Apart from providing sales value and volume, the report also provides insights in to Honduras’s demographic and economic data. This helps in establishing a framework to better formulate the Mobile services market forecasts. Information such as population, nominal GDP, consumer price inflation and currency exchange rates are included to ascertain market sophistication, current and projected demand, and future opportunities. Mobile Handset Sales Volumes split by: Type of Customer (New or Replacement), Category, Price Band, Vendor, Features, Operating System (OS) and by Technology and Generation. Mobile Handset Sales Value analytics by. Average Selling Price (ASP) and Overall Market revenue Overall Mobile Subscription Penetration This is an on-demand report and will be delivered within 2 working days (excluding weekends) of the purchase. Read More

Pyramid Research report "Philippines's Mobile Devices Market Analytics to 2020: Mobile Handset Sales by Category, Type of Customer, Price, Vendor, Features, Smartphones, OS, Technology and Generation" built using extensive market research carried out in telecommunication market of Philippines. The report provides a top-level overview of Mobile Devices / Handset sales volumes and value at various segment levels from 2011 through 2020. Apart from providing sales value and volume, the report also provides insights in to Philippines’s demographic and economic data. This helps in establishing a framework to better formulate the Mobile services market forecasts. Information such as population, nominal GDP, consumer price inflation and currency exchange rates are included to ascertain market sophistication, current and projected demand, and future opportunities. Mobile Handset Sales Volumes split by: Type of Customer (New or Replacement), Category, Price Band, Vendor, Features, Operating System (OS) and by Technology and Generation. Mobile Handset Sales Value analytics by. Average Selling Price (ASP) and Overall Market revenue Overall Mobile Subscription Penetration This is an on-demand report and will be delivered within 2 working days (excluding weekends) of the purchase. Read More

The share of 5G phones in the United Kingdom was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2025 by in total *** percentage points. After the ***** consecutive increasing year, the indicator is estimated to reach ***** percent and therefore a new peak in 2025. Notably, the share of 5G phones was continuously increasing over the past years.Find more key insights for the indicator in countries like revenue concerning the sub-segment 'pc monitors & projectors' of the consumer electronics market in Italy and the average price per unit (PPU) concerning the sub-segment 'stereo speakers' of the consumer electronics market in the Philippines.The Statista Market Insights cover a broad range of additional markets.