Smartphones Overtake Laptops

Ofcom research has revealed that smartphones have overtaken laptops as the most popular device for getting online. This is transforming our communications with record ownership and use.

Users are browsing the internet for nearly 2 hours per day using their smartphones and with 2 out of 3 people now owning a smartphone, it is becoming the most important device for going online to access social media, banking and online shopping.

Since 2014, the rise in smartphone surfing marks a clear shift with 22% of people turning to their phone first and 40% still preferring their laptops. Smartphones are fast becoming an integral part of our daily lives with two thirds of adults in the UK having one in their pocket. This up from 39% in 2012.

90% of 16 – 24 year olds own their own smartphone. The 55 – 64 year old age bracket is also joining the mobile revolution with ownership more than doubling from 19% to 50% since 2012.

4G mobile broadband provides faster access online and the surge in this service has been a catalyst for the increase in take up. Subscription for 4G in 2014 rocketed from 2.7 million to 23.6 million by the end of 2014.

Time spent on smartphones is almost twice as long as the time spent on laptops and personal computers. Adults on average spent almost 2 hours per day on their smartphone in March 2015 compared to just over an hour on laptops and PCs.

However, people are spending almost twice as much time in front of their televisions each day with an average viewing time of 3 hours and 40 mins.