The iPhone and Apple Watch are more popular than ever among US teenagers

by Joshua Swingle / Oct 10, 2019, 4:08 AM

The iPhone and Apple Watch are more popular than ever among US teenagers

Apple’s share in the US smartphone market frequently fluctuates between an impressive 40% and 50%. But if only teenage users are taken into account, the popularity of iPhone skyrockets to even higher levels.

The latest Taking Stock with Teens report – a periodic survey (via Apple Insider) involving 9,500 teenagers conducted by Piper Jaffray – revealed that 83% of teens currently own an iPhone in the US. This figure improves upon the 82% ownership volume that was registered one year ago and represents the highest level of penetration ever seen by the firm.

As for the intention of buying a new iPhone within the next six months, the survey found that a whopping 86% of teenagers are planning a purchase. This ultimately suggests the Cupertino-based company’s share among US teenagers will continue to grow in the coming months thanks to the iPhone 11.

Further demonstrating Apple’s popularity among US teenagers is the Apple Watch which is now owned by 20% of respondents, something that's increased massively from the 12% ownership that was reported just twelve months earlier. Piper Jaffray also found that 23% of the surveyed group intend to purchase an Apple Watch within the next six months. This figure is up from 22% in the spring and 17% twelve months ago, and compares to just 2% of teens who are planning to buy one of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch models.

No data was provided in regards to Samsung when it comes to the teenage smartphone market but Piper Jaffray did find that around 10% of respondents are planning to purchase an Android in the near future. This is up slightly from 9% earlier this year.

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30 Comments

2. Arthurhkt

Posts: 725; Member since: Apr 19, 2012

Sad thing is that this is not just apply in US, even in my country people buy iPhone as it represent the status. Sadly that majority of these people doesn't even know/appreciate the benefit of owning a Apple product or the downside of it, they simply buy it for the sake of status. Same goes to Huawei device where the Chinese will buy them not because it suits their need, simply just because they are patriotic.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 4:56 AM 5

3. mrochester

Posts: 1020; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

Makes me glad to be a bit older and be able to buy what’s the best product, not what the most popular. If I bought the most popular product I’d be using android but that’s most definitely not the best.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 5:18 AM 1

5. cozze02

Posts: 130; Member since: Nov 25, 2012

Yeah, I guess your right, apple is best for simple minded people that prefer not to really have the latest hardware especially screen tech. I don't understand how apple has gotten away with have a 720p screen for so long on the basic iPhone. I mean the lastest iPhone has 1792‑by‑828, I think the last time I had a screen that low was the Galaxy Nexus in 2011.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 6:22 AM 4

6. midan

Posts: 2984; Member since: Oct 09, 2017

So iPhone is basicly best for most people. i agree, too bad not most have money to buy one so they have to settle for android phones. by the way clearly not many prefer your "latest hadrware" knownig how bad android phone flagship phone sales are, you know those phones which have that latest hardware ;)

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 6:54 AM 2

10. Vancetastic

Posts: 1541; Member since: May 17, 2017

I had iPhones for years. I've switched to an Android device. After using this device for a while, I prefer it over the iPhone. I can afford whatever I want, by the way. I haven't "settled" in any way.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 7:45 AM 4

26. darkkjedii

Posts: 31291; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

You can get an iPhone on a BOGO, or installment plan lol. Boost Mobile, or Cricket. They come easy these days. I too can afford whatever I want, cash or credit. I prefer the Note.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 8:53 PM 0

28. TheOracle1

Posts: 2331; Member since: May 04, 2015

Teens also eat Tide Pods so their decision making isn't exactly great.

posted on Oct 11, 2019, 2:36 AM 1

14. lyndon420

Posts: 6823; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

So you're one of those eh? "...too bad not most have money to buy one so they have to settle for android phones". That's very narrow minded of you, and says quite a bit about your character. You assume every Android user buys the cheapest Android phones available...

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 8:51 AM 1

19. vtpmt81

Posts: 6; Member since: Nov 02, 2018

Where in this article does it say the iPhone is 'best' for most people? A lot of people use Android phones because they actually like them. People don't settle for Android phones in the United States - iPhones can be had for cheap here. A few hundred dollars will get you an iPhone 7 or 8 - so if people want an iPhone they can easily buy one. Many teens like iOS because of iMessage (kids want to be included in the group messages) and status (which is mostly related to iMessage/green responses). Having used iOS and Android - both are simple and easy to use.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 10:51 AM 3

20. tedkord

Posts: 17410; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

I paid more for my Note 9 512gb than the competing iPhone. I did not settle for the cheaper iPhone.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 11:16 AM 1

27. darkkjedii

Posts: 31291; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Ditto.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 8:54 PM 0

25. darkkjedii

Posts: 31291; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

iPhones are available at Boost Mobile, Walmart, and Cricket dude. They can also be bought on installment plans. They harder lol.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 8:51 PM 0

8. midan

Posts: 2984; Member since: Oct 09, 2017

"I don't understand how apple has gotten away with have a 720p screen for so long on the basic iPhone. I mean the lastest iPhone has 1792‑by‑828, I think the last time I had a screen that low was the Galaxy Nexus in 2011" Well you kind a just admitted that you don't understand the subject by mentioning your galaxy nexus. That is phone with AMOLED screen and it needed to have lot higher resolution to look sharp as LCD which you are talking about now. LCD screen doesn't need as high resolution to look as sharp as AMOLED. That's the reason why we have seen so big resolution bump in AMOLED compared to LCD. Yes New iPhone 11 screen looks very good. Have you seen it? propably not.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 7:11 AM 1

29. Vancetastic

Posts: 1541; Member since: May 17, 2017

My iphone 6 Plus had a 1080p screen. Why?

posted on Oct 11, 2019, 4:48 PM 0

11. apple-rulz

Posts: 2186; Member since: Dec 27, 2016

@cozze02 You're just still hurt because you voted the camera on a year old iPhone to be better than the brand new Note 10+. Actually it's not just you, the rest of the SDF also had to swallow that bitter pill. Now go take a nap.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 8:34 AM 2

30. cozze02

Posts: 130; Member since: Nov 25, 2012

To be honest, camera is probably the last on my needs list for phone requirements.

posted on Oct 12, 2019, 8:15 AM 0

21. tedkord

Posts: 17410; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

That's an asinine statement.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 11:20 AM 1

22. sgodsell

Posts: 7433; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

"The Piper Jaffray Taking Stock With Teens® survey is a semi-annual research project that gathers input from thousands of teens with an average age of 15.8 years. Discretionary spending patterns, fashion trends, technology, and brand and media preferences are assessed through surveying a geographically diverse subset of high schools across the U.S." When they talk about Lululemon, Crocs, and Makeup and handbags. Then who were they surveying again? This survey said spending is down by 4% as well for these teens. Wanting and having are two different things.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 1:04 PM 0

4. Deadeye

Posts: 101; Member since: Jul 26, 2019

No wonder.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 5:18 AM 1

7. Vancetastic

Posts: 1541; Member since: May 17, 2017

Teens always make the best choices, said no one ever.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 7:10 AM 6

23. sgodsell

Posts: 7433; Member since: Mar 16, 2013

Average age of these teens is 15.8 years. It's also a survey about wanting and having. Not to mention most of the survey stuff was girl related.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 1:09 PM 0

9. midan

Posts: 2984; Member since: Oct 09, 2017

It's like best situation for a company, when they are adults they are deep in ecosystem already and keep buying another iPhone.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 7:31 AM 3

12. TBomb

Posts: 1563; Member since: Dec 28, 2012

you are very right. "I'm a fan of ______________ team because my dad was." Exposure breeds familiarity, familiarity breeds likeness, likeness breeds sales.

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 8:42 AM 0

17. Vancetastic

Posts: 1541; Member since: May 17, 2017

I always did the opposite of whatever my dad did. He wasn't cool...LOL

posted on Oct 10, 2019, 9:26 AM 1

18. gadgetpower

Posts: 281; Member since: Aug 23, 2019

Don’t worry guys, s10 series and note10 series are still the most favorite of android people and yet it doesn’t show on sales. And its amazing that their gear watch is 2nd top selling where in fact, it was bundled on their phones.