Piper Jaffray has released the results of their latest teen survey, and it shows Apple’s lineup of mobile devices continue to resonate with today’s youth. The spring 2016 survey shows the Apple Watch is way ahead in the smartwatch category, while the iPhone and iPad continue to remain popular.
According to fresh numbers from Piper Jaffray’s Teen Survey, only 12 percent of respondents owned a wrist-wearable device as of spring 2016. However, of those who did purchase a smartwatch, Apple Watch was the dominant player, capturing a whopping 71-percent marketshare. Analyst Gene Munster notes the trend toward Watch is unsurprising given the device tethers to market leader iPhone.
A 2014 survey of a similar group, performed just before the unveiling of the Apple Watch, showed teen interest in a $350 “iWatch” stood at 16%. At that time, only 7% of respondents owned a smartwatch.
The iPhone continues to sit atop the teen smartphone market, with 69% of participants saying they owned an iPhone. That’s up from 67% last fall. Of those anticipating the purchase of a smartphone, 75% expect to make the iPhone their next handset. That’s up 1% from the fall numbers.
Meanwhile, over in tablet land, ownership showed a decline for the third consecutive survey, with just 59% of respondents owning a tablet, down from 61% in the previous survey. The iPad remained on top of the heap, with a huge 64% slice of the teen tablet ownership pie, down 1% from the previous survey. Those respondents intending to buy a tablet grew 5% from the fall, tallying 63%. Only 13% of participants who didn’t own a tablet expected to buy one in the next six months.
Munster sees the slight bump in intent to buy a tablet as a by-product of Apple’s recent launch of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. The new tablet offers support for a Smart Keyboard, and the Apple Pencil. Apple is pushing the new tablet as a desktop replacement, which could prove an enticing alternative for college-bound students.
