Evolution of devices: prospects for growth, interest in sustainability and the rise of AI

This report is available to those subscribed to the Digital Consumer module.
Having been under significant pressure for the last few years, sales of smartphones are recovering. Against this backdrop, understanding how consumer behaviour with devices is changing (and why) is crucial to prepare for the next phase of device innovation and growth.
In GSMA Intelligence’s latest survey, conducted in August 2024, consumers across 12 countries were asked a range of questions on devices. The survey covered 1,000 consumers in each market.
This report explores consumer behaviour with devices across areas such as smartphone ownership and replacement rates, smartphone brand loyalty, preferred sales channel for smartphones, purchase drivers, interest in refurbished devices, and ownership of wearables and smart home devices. It also considers how advanced AI such as generative AI is being positioned to be the new differentiator for consumer devices.
To illustrate the themes explored, the analysis provides operator case studies for Deutsche Telekom, e& and Telefonica.
Related research
Industry Checkpoint: consumer eSIM, Q3 2025
As the telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem evolve at an unprecedented rate, regularly assessing major developments and their implications is more important than ever. This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer eSIM, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications.
Consumer eSIM: device and MNO service trackers, and adoption forecast to 2030
With eSIM adoption set to accelerate from 2026, this tracker provides data that can be used to formulate or adjust eSIM commercial strategies and offers.
Telefónica: Pushing consumer genAI through the Aura digital assistant
Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition looks at how Telefónica is driving consumer generative AI through its Aura digital assistant.
Authors
How to access this report
Annual subscription: Subscribe to our research modules for comprehensive access to more than 200 reports per year.
Enquire about subscriptionContact our research team
Get in touch with us to find out more about our research topics and analysis.
Contact our research teamMedia
To cite our research, please see our citation policy in our Terms of Use, or contact our Media team for more information.
Learn moreRelated research
Industry Checkpoint: consumer eSIM, Q3 2025
As the telecoms industry and wider digital ecosystem evolve at an unprecedented rate, regularly assessing major developments and their implications is more important than ever. This edition of the Industry Checkpoint series focuses on consumer eSIM, highlighting how the market has changed in the last six months and its implications.
Consumer eSIM: device and MNO service trackers, and adoption forecast to 2030
With eSIM adoption set to accelerate from 2026, this tracker provides data that can be used to formulate or adjust eSIM commercial strategies and offers.
Telefónica: Pushing consumer genAI through the Aura digital assistant
Operator strategies continue to evolve in the digital era as the telecoms industry seeks to capture new growth opportunities in the consumer and enterprise markets. Assessing innovation and achievements is more important than ever before. GSMA Intelligence's operator case studies provide a concise and consistent way to shine a light on and analyse operators' strategies and business models, as well as how they are launching new services. This edition looks at how Telefónica is driving consumer generative AI through its Aura digital assistant.
- 200 reports a year
- 50 million data points
- Over 350 metrics