Ownership of smartphones surpasses basic cell phones

ARLINGTON, USA: Two-thirds (64 percent) of U.S. households now own smartphones, surpassing ownership of basic cell phones (51 percent) for the first time, according to a new study released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

The 16th Annual Household CE Ownership and Market Potential Study also shows consumer appetite for mobile products remained strong in 2013, and the mobility trend will continue in 2014 with four of the top five planned purchases this year focused on a mobile lifestyle.

Top Planned Technology Purchases

In 2014, the top consumer electronics (CE) products U.S. households plan to purchase are smartphones (27 percent) and over- or on-the-ear headphones (27 percent). Also among the top planned purchases are televisions (20 percent); laptop, notebook or netbook computers (18 percent); and tablets (16 percent).

Continued Growth of Connected Devices

Over the last year, households continued to buy connected devices at a strong clip, and several categories saw especially strong growth. The highest gains in household penetration came from Internet-enabled TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, tablets, smartphones and portable wireless speakers.

"Building on consecutive years of strong, mobile device adoption, consumers continue to embrace a connected lifestyle in the home and on the go," said Kevin Tillmann, senior research analyst, market research at CEA. "Consumers are now turning to many of the emerging connected products entering the market today, such as smart watches, connected fitness devices and smart thermostats."

Emerging Technologies

With large installed bases of mobile and connected devices, households are now beginning to reveal some interest in new tech products. Smart watch ownership is currently under two percent, but expected to more than triple by 2015. Similarly, eight percent of households expect to own a fitness activity tracker by next year, up from five percent in 2014. Also, ownership of smart thermostats is expected to grow from three percent of households to five percent of households by next year.

Where Consumers Are Buying

Despite the continued growth of online retail sales, 85 percent of U.S. households purchasing CE products in the last year did so at brick-and-mortar retail stores. Overall, households that bought CE devices over the past year say they are 49 percent more likely to make CE purchases online in the year to come.