Under-45 crowd: Most carry smartphones now
Less than half of all mobile users have a smartphone, but Nielsen says a majority of people under 45 now own smartphones. Among those 25 to 34, the figure hits a whopping 62 percent.
Smartphones keep luring more mobile users, especially those under the age of 45, according to a new survey from Nielsen.
Only 43 percent of all mobile users own a smartphone, Nielsen noted in its third-quarter survey. That figure covers the gamut of 13 to over 65. But ownership has hit more than 50 percent among some specific age groups under 45.
Of those in the 25 to 34 range, a whopping 62 percent now own a smartphone. And 54 percent and 53 percent of those 18 to 24 and 35 to 44 do as well, respectively. Teenagers are known to be heavy mobile phone users, but only 38 percent of those 13 to 17 own a smartphone as opposed to a basic feature phone.
Moving up in age, 39 percent of mobile users ages 45 to 54 have a smartphone.
Smartphone usage is growing even among those 55 to 64. Though only 30 percent of people in this age range own a smartphone, that number is 5 points higher than Nielsen saw in the second quarter.
In the never-ending Android vs. Apple smartphone contest, Android phones are on top, according to Nielsen, snagging 43 percent of the U.S. market. Meanwhile, the iPhone is in the pockets of 28 percent of smartphone users. Research In Motion's BlackBerry owns 18 percent share, leaving Microsoft's Windows Phone with 7 percent and other assorted vendors scooping up the remaining 4 percent.
