iPhone Usage Among U.S. Teens Hits 40% as iPad Continues to Gain Traction

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster today released a report outlining the results of his semi-annual survey of U.S. teenagers, revealing that iPhone and iPad usage continues to surge among the demographic. The survey of over 7,700 teenagers shows that 40% of respondents currently use an iPhone, up from 34% in the last survey conducted just six months ago.

We believe it is a positive sign for the power of the iPhone among younger users that Apple was able to expand its market share with teens despite no new product launches between our Spring and Fall 2012 surveys.

Apple also appears well-positioned with teenagers going forward, with 62% of survey respondents stating that they plan to obtain an iPhone as their next phone.

piper teen survey fall 2012
On the topic of tablets, Munster found that 44% of teenagers now have a tablet device of some sort, with 72% of those using an iPad. Roughly 35% of survey respondents who do not yet have a tablet (20% of total respondents) are planning to obtain one in the next six months. Of those, 74% are planning to purchase an iPad.

Apple's rumored "iPad mini" also appears to be a strong potential draw for teenagers, with 43% of those planning to purchase a tablet reporting that they would be more likely to do so if Apple launched a smaller iPad priced at $299.

Munster notes that attracting young users is a key part of Apple's strategy, as moving them into the Apple ecosystem at a young age helps lock them in for the future. The iPod touch has long been seen as a gateway device to attract younger users into the Apple ecosystem, but with the iPhone and iPad gaining in usage among these young users as smartphone and tablet prevalence continue to grow in general, many are moving into Apple's higher-priced devices at younger and younger ages.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

firestarter Avatar
165 months ago
U.S. teenagers

Yup, and they're all here in the MR iPhone forum asking dumb questions.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadbloc Avatar
165 months ago
I couldn't never afford even a basic contract phone when I was a teenager. Never mind an iPhone.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
184550 Avatar
165 months ago
... and tweens. I can't believe how many middle schoolers have iPhones.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nevzorus Avatar
165 months ago
Apple is doomed.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
165 months ago
Cue all the silly people that whine about how iPhone is only for kids, and how they should know better, while ignoring the tens and tens of millions of adults (many of which are completely comfortable with technology and work with it professionally) who simply prefer iPhone to Android. :rolleyes:
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
george-brooks Avatar
165 months ago
I got my first iPhone (on initial launch day) when I was 15. My brother got his first iPhone (4S) at 11. I have seen kids as young as 6 with their own personal iPhones. This is a huge demographic.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)