It shouldn’t come as a surprise that smartphones are the most commonly owned personal device in the UK. Over 96% of UK adults own a smartphone, and uptake is even higher among people under 30. They are now used for far more than calls or messaging. Instead, they have become an almost permanent part of our everyday lives. They are used for browsing, banking, entertainment, photography, and social media. People in the UK now spend nearly twice as much time on smartphones as they do on laptops or desktop computers. Among elder Generation Z, 98% own a smartphone, compared with only 30% who still use digital cameras.
Smartphones in Retail, Gaming, and Daily Services
Smartphones have transformed everyday tasks like shopping. In retail, over 66% of online shoppers in the UK now use their phones to make purchases. Nearly half of consumers report using a smartphone for their latest retail transaction. In shops, 38% use phones for scanning prices, making digital payments, or accessing loyalty programmes.
In gaming, smartphones are the leading platform. According to Openpr, nearly 95% of the UK population is projected to own a smartphone in 2025. Casual and hyper-casual games dominate download charts, with users favouring short, convenient play sessions. Augmented reality games and cloud-based platforms are also expanding, delivering advanced gaming experiences that were once confined to consoles or PCs.
Even platforms that began with traditional gambling setups are changing due to the widespread use of smartphones, with CasinoBeats on non GamStop play becoming a popular way to move from in-person gaming to digital. This platform’s review of online casinos reveals that most platforms optimise their sites for mobile casino gaming. This shows that players often access casino gaming platforms through smartphones, giving users a mobile experience focused on ease of use, fast access, and practical features.
These platforms typically feature quick withdrawal processes, large gaming libraries, and accessible interfaces, all tailored for mobile users. This kind of ease and direct access illustrates how the smartphone is now the tool of choice even for complex tasks. It reaffirms how integral the smartphone has become in today.
Booking appointments has become significantly easier through mobile devices. More than 80% of UK consumers book healthcare, fitness, and beauty appointments through apps. The NHS app alone has over 11 million monthly users, supporting appointment scheduling, test results, and prescription requests. Its integration into everyday routines shows how mobile devices streamline public service access.
Events are now managed through mobile platforms as well. Over 50% of hotel and event bookings are completed via smartphones. Digital ticketing, QR codes, and mobile wallets have become standard for concerts, sports matches, and exhibitions. Mobile apps allow attendees to navigate venues, make purchases, and share content in real-time.
Photography and Visual Content Creation
The rise of smartphone photography has led to a marked decline in standalone camera use across the UK. Most consumers now rely entirely on their phones for capturing and editing images. Advanced sensors, computational photography, and AI enhancements allow even casual users to produce high-quality photos and videos. Built-in editing tools and direct-to-platform sharing features have turned smartphones into compact content-creation studios.
This shift has reshaped how personal and professional images are produced, with entire industries, from journalism to social media marketing, leaning heavily on smartphone-generated content as the new standard.
Decline in Other Device Ownership
Ownership of desktop computers, laptops, and tablets has seen a gradual decline. In 2024, 77% of UK adults owned a desktop or laptop, a drop from the previous year. Tablet use is also diminishing. Many consumers find that smartphones can perform most functions previously handled by these devices. MP3 players, DVD players, and digital cameras are being left behind altogether. In many households, smartphones have taken over as the default tool for taking photos, listening to music, and even watching films.
Devices That Persist
Despite the wide functionality of smartphones, certain devices continue to maintain relevance. Smart TVs are one such category, now found in around 76% of UK households according to Statista. They are still preferred for high-quality viewing and shared media experiences. Wearables and smart home devices have grown also in popularity. These often rely on smartphones as a central hub, highlighting a trend of integration rather than replacement. Laptops and desktops remain essential for work, content creation, and other productivity tasks that benefit from larger screens and more powerful processing.
Consumer Trends and Device Behaviour
UK consumers now use a range of digital devices, but the smartphone remains the anchor. The average user has access to over five connected devices, yet most digital engagement happens through their phone. Smartphone replacement cycles are also shorter, with 70% of users upgrading within four years. In contrast, only 31% of tablet owners and 22% of laptop owners replace those devices in the same time frame. Although digital fatigue is a growing concern, with some consumers aiming to reduce screen time, the smartphone still leads to utility and convenience.
The Growth and Future Roles of the Smartphone
The UK smartphone market is expected to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years, but it looks like at a far more moderate pace. Industry forecasts project a compound annual growth rate between 1.25% and 2.6% from 2025 to 2030, with sustained consumer interest driven by better connectivity, expanded features, and evolving user habits. Globally, the smartphone market is expected to be worth over £650 billion by 2030.
One of the primary forces shaping this growth is the continued rollout of 5G networks. Faster connections make it easier to use things like cloud gaming, video calls, and augmented reality. All of these technologies work well on modern smartphones, thanks to their portability and speed. In the UK, 5G-compatible devices are expected to dominate new purchases by 2027.
Technological innovation also plays a central role. Foldable displays, AI-powered camera systems, and improved battery performance are making smartphones more versatile than ever. In the UK, foldable phones are expected to grow by more than 13% a year through 2030, as people look for devices that combine features of both phones and tablets.
Consumer behaviour is changing too. With network providers offering financing options and manufacturers supporting devices for longer periods, many users are opting for premium models. These higher-end smartphones deliver better performance and longer lifespans, reducing the need for additional gadgets.
For most people in the UK, smartphones have become the main device they rely on. While some older gadgets still exist, many are no longer essential. Devices like digital cameras, MP3 players, and DVD players have mostly faded from everyday use. Rather than being challenged by new devices, the smartphone is increasingly positioned as the central control point for the connected lives of UK consumers.
Conclusion
Smartphones have quietly taken on the role of the default device for most UK residents. While not every device is obsolete, many are now optional. Digital cameras, MP3 players, and DVD players have largely disappeared from everyday use. Tablets and even PCs have seen reduced importance for general tasks. What is clear is that for communication, entertainment, retail, booking, and even gaming, the smartphone is now the first, and often only, device people reach for.