Desktop or mobile: a look at the current usage figures

From desktop to mobile: usage trends and target group differences

The shift from desktop to mobile devices has long been a reality. Today, smartphones are the main access point to the digital space for many people. But what are the current figures and what are the differences between the target groups?

Current status: Mobile vs. desktop

While desktop computers used to be the standard, smartphones have now taken over the top position: Around 60-70% of web access is mobile, desktop usage is 25-35%, tablets 3-5%.

The trend depends on the industry. E-commerce, social media and entertainment are heavily mobile, while B2B platforms and data-intensive applications are more frequently used on desktops.

Who uses what? Age differences

Younger target groups (16-34 years): clearly rely on the smartphone – for social media, shopping, banking and streaming. Desktops are only used for gaming or more complex work.

Middle age groups (35-54 years): hybrid behavior. Smartphone for private use, desktop for work.

Older target groups (55+ years): use desktop more frequently for research, portals and emails. However, mobile is also growing here.

Consequences for companies

If you know your target group, you can optimize content in a targeted manner – whether for mobile devices or classic desktop views.

Effects on websites

A website must work on all end devices – from smartphones to desktop monitors. Loading times are crucial, especially on mobile devices. Slow pages mean high bounce rates. Content should be adapted for both small and large screens.

SEO has also adapted: Google now rates the mobile version of a website as the main version (“mobile-first indexing”).

Desktop remains relevant

Despite mobile growth, the desktop remains important: complex applications, detailed research and data-intensive tasks continue to be performed more frequently on the large screen. It remains indispensable in the B2B sector in particular, even if mobile devices are becoming increasingly powerful.

Conclusion

The switch from desktop to mobile is complete – but desktop is not disappearing. Differences in target groups and usage purposes remain. Successful websites take both into account: responsive design, fast loading times and an understanding of user needs.

Those who respond flexibly to different devices will remain well positioned in the future.