Smartphone users now consistently consume more mobile data than tablet users, according to a new research report.
Despite a surge in the market for tablets, smartphone users have overtaken tablet users in their thirst for mobile data for the first time, the report from research firm Arieso said.
The report added that iPhone 5 users are the “hungriest” data consumers, demanding 50% more than iPhone 4S users and four times as much as iPhone 3G users. Out of the top ten most voracious devices (excluding dongles) six were smartphones, three tablets and one a “phablet,” while tablet users placed 4th, 8th and 9th.
“This is pretty counterintuitive, but it seems the capabilities of the newest smartphones – not tablets - are unleashing even greater user demand. Once you move away from raw consumption statistics, the most remarkable finding is the way in which people use smartphones and tablets,” said Michael Flanagan, CTO of Arieso.
Overall mobile data consumption continues to rocket, driven by new devices and richer content, although extreme users are beginning to move to new LTE networks, the report said.
In terms of region, the report said network operators in developed Asia Pacific – specifically South East Asia – are expected to experience similar data growth rates as in Latin America, but start from a much higher base.
The report further said operators globally have to deal with similar challenges created by extreme data use.