More Women own a Smartphone Than Men
The technology market is often associated with the male sex. From developers to consumers, the perception remains that men drive this market and are responsible for supply and demand within the sector.
Recent statistics have emerged to disprove this theory, however, and it appears as though female consumers are increasingly influential across various technology markets. Just recently it was revealed that women now account for 52% of gamers, for example, meaning that this demographic is dominant across both console and mobile markets.
A similar trend has also been noted in the smartphone market, where user demographics have shifted according to social and technological trends. More specifically, a recent report commissioned by eDigitalResearch and IMRG has confirmed that more women use smartphones than men in 2015, while the dominant demographic of users is also considerably older than it once was. These figures have also changed as mobile phones have entered into the consumer mainstream, as they have made a successful transition from specialist technology to everyday, household devices.
The statistics in this report are telling. Back in 2010, smartphones had only penetrated 38% of the UK market, while 63% of all users at this time were male. Just three years later, over 60% of the British population owned smartphones and 58% of these were female. The report also reveals a significant transition in terms of the age of smartphone users, as less than a third of handsets were owned by individuals aged between 45 and 74 in 2010. This demographic now makes up 45% of the overall smartphone user base, as the associated technology has been adopted into the mainstream and simplified for older generations.
With these statistics in mind, it is worth considering exactly what factors have triggered this transition? One of the primary reasons is the sheer diversity and multifunctional nature of modern handsets, which are capable of performing a broader range of everyday tasks. If you look at the statistics concerning m-commerce and mobile browsing, for example, it is clear that female consumers are increasingly likely to use their smartphone to select, research and purchase products. Mobiles also offer them an opportunity to access real-time promotions, which in term enables customers to save money and shop for less.
The rise of the female gamer is also a key consideration, especially when you consider the prevalence of online gaming platforms such as Casino.com. With women increasingly engaged in mobile gaming experiences, they are turning to smartphones and tablets top drive their experiences. This is also reflected in the statistics concerning the most popular mobile phones, with Apple dominating the market thanks partially to its emphasis on gaming and apps. The same principle can be applied to Samsung’s popularity, as this Android handset is connected to the increasingly expanding Google Play Store.
