Teens and tech: Almost 90% own iPhones, most use Instagram and Spotify

The big picture: Android may be the dominant mobile operating system worldwide but in the US, the iPhone reigns supreme with a nearly 60 percent market share across all age groups. A recent survey found that the numbers are even more skewed among teenagers, with nearly nine out of 10 teens owning an iPhone.

According to the latest survey by American investment bank Piper Sandler, 88 percent of US teens own an iPhone, and 25 percent plan to upgrade to the upcoming iPhone 17 before the end of the year.

The numbers suggest iPhone ownership among teenagers is nearing an all-time high, rising three percentage points since April 2024, when 85 percent of teens surveyed reported owning an iPhone. That figure is also significantly higher than a decade ago, when only 66 percent of teens used an iPhone.

While Apple clearly dominates the smartphone market, it’s a different story in the world of VR headsets. About 31 percent of teens said they own a VR device, but the majority have a Meta/Oculus headset. Only one percent of respondents reported owning an Apple Vision Pro.

The survey also reveals that Instagram is the most popular social media app among teens, with 87 percent using the platform each month. TikTok comes in second with 79 percent, while Snapchat rounds out the top three at 72 percent. Teens also frequently use Uber (76 percent) for ride-hailing and DoorDash (73 percent) for food delivery.

As for streaming services, Netflix is the clear favorite, with 31 percent of teens reporting daily use. YouTube follows with 26 percent, while Hulu comes in third with seven percent. Only one percent of the teens surveyed said they watch shows on Apple TV+.

The survey also shows that Spotify is the most popular music streaming app among US teens, with 65 percent using the service. Of those, 45 percent have a paid subscription. In comparison, 30 percent of respondents reported having an Apple Music subscription.

The data is part of the latest Taking Stock With Teens survey, which highlights the spending habits of US teenagers. The report includes responses from 6,455 teens, with an average age of 16.2 years and a median household income of $65,995.

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