Approximately 20% of Communication Devices Go Unused, 76% Purchase Without Considering 'Risk of Disuse,' The Pitfall of 'Hopeful Buying' [Survey on Communication Device Usage]

Smartphones, tablets, wireless earphones, and other communication devices are indispensable in our daily lives. In recent years, with advancements in performance and multi-functionality, replacing with new models and owning multiple devices have become common. On the other hand, the 'wasteful' situation of 'purchasing but not using much' or 'gradually stopping use' is becoming a widespread and familiar problem. Therefore, Exmobile Co., Ltd., which operates a smartphone rental service, jointly conducted an 'Anket Survey on Communication Device Usage' targeting 500 men and women aged 20-59 nationwide. This survey clarifies the actual state of unused communication devices, their reasons, consumer awareness at the time of purchase, and values regarding 'purchase' versus 'rental.' When quoting or reprinting the content of this release, please follow these guidelines: ・Clearly state the source as 'Joint survey by Exmobile Co., Ltd. and Plast Co., Ltd.' ・Include a link to the smartphone rental service (https://www.xmobiles.jp/) ・Include a link to the relevant article (https://www.xmobile.co.jp/media/device-user-survey-20260424/) ■ Survey Overview Survey Name: Anket Survey on Communication Device Usage Survey Method: Internet survey Survey Period: April 6, 2026 - April 13, 2026 Target Audience: 500 men and women aged 20-59 nationwide Valid Responses: 500 ■ Questions Question 1: Do you have any communication devices that you purchased but 'don't use much' or 'don't use at all'? Question 2: What kind of communication devices have you stopped using? Question 3: Please tell us why you stopped using them. Question 4: When purchasing communication devices, are you aware of the 'risk of disuse'? Question 5: Do you think 'purchasing' or 'renting (using only for the necessary period)' is more rational for smartphones and communication devices? Question 6: Please tell us the closest reason why you feel 'purchasing' or 'renting' is rational. *Numbers are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not be 100%. *In questions allowing multiple answers, the total may exceed 100%. ■ Approximately 20% have 'unused communication devices,' 'waste of ownership' becomes apparent First, when asked if they had any communication devices they purchased but 'don't use much' or 'don't use at all,' 22.6% responded 'yes,' revealing that approximately one in five people own unused communication devices. [Presence of unused communication devices] ・Yes: 22.6% ・No: 77.4% Communication devices often involve expenses of tens of thousands of yen, and this result indicates the reality that a certain number of 'devices sleeping unused' exist. While the spread of digital devices progresses, it can be said that 'waste of ownership' may be accumulating in an unseen form. ■ Unused devices are 'smartphones' and 'earphones,' familiar devices tend to be left unused Among the types of communication devices that are no longer used, 'smartphones' and 'wireless earphones' were the most common, both at 26.6%. This was followed by 'personal computers' at 21.2%, 'tablet devices' at 20.4%, 'smartwatches' at 19.5%, and 'mobile WiFi routers' at 14.2%, indicating that even devices intended for daily use are sometimes left unused. [Communication devices that are no longer used] ・Smartphones (e.g., previous model before replacement): 26.6% ・Tablet devices: 20.4% ・Mobile WiFi routers: 14.2% ・Smartwatches: 19.5% ・Wireless earphones: 26.6% ・Personal computers: 21.2% ・Other: 5.3% This suggests that due to the diversification of devices and the shortening of replacement cycles, a structure is emerging where users 'transition to the next device without fully utilizing the current one.' ■ Reason No. 1 is 'didn't use as much as expected,' 'purchase motivation' precedes 'necessity'? The most common reason for no longer using devices was 'didn't have as many opportunities to use them as expected' at 38.1%. This was followed by 'replaced with a new model' at 31.9% and 'could be substituted by another device' at 16.8%, revealing a gap between the intended use case at the time of purchase and the actual usage situation. [Reasons for no longer using] ・Replaced with a new model: 31.9% ・Didn't have as many opportunities to use as expected: 38.1% ・Couldn't master its use: 15.0% ・Maintenance costs (e.g., communication fees) became a burden: 7.1% ・Could be substituted by another device: 16.8% ・Broke down / had problems: 9.7% ・Somehow