Size matters: Online debate settled as Brits still prefer big screens for big jobs such as booking flights
More than one in four Brits (28%) divide tasks into “big internet” (laptop) and “small internet” (smartphone) jobs [1]
The most common “big internet jobs” include booking flights and buying travel insurance, whereas banking and booking taxis are typically handled on smartphones
Brits willing to spend more when using a laptop compared with a smartphone, even for classic “small internet” jobs[6]
Overall, smartphones have overtaken laptops for online purchases and bookings, with 39%[2] of Brits favouring their phones
Gen-Z leads the trend, with 57%[2] using smartphones for everyday tasks
Nearly one in five (17%)[3] of Gen-Z have never been to a bank, and rely on banking apps instead
Uswitch.com settles the debate with the definitive list of ‘big internet’ vs ‘small internet’ jobs
A debate has raged on social media over what counts as a “big internet” job (done on a laptop) or a “small internet” job (done on a smartphone).
New data from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service, reveals the definitive list of what the nation thinks should be done on each device, and why.
Tens of thousands have voiced their opinion online over which jobs they see as “laptop activity” or “phone activity”, with this discussion amassing millions of views. New research from Uswitch shows the jobs people most commonly choose to use the “small internet” (smartphone) for include everyday banking, checking emails, booking train tickets and paying rent or a mortgage[4].
Despite discussion on social media suggesting the “big internet” is old fashioned - for jobs such as booking flights, booking hotels or changing broadband providers, people still prefer to sit down in front of a big screen to hash out the small details[4].
There is a clear divide between generations when it comes to preferences for “big internet” versus “small internet”. Gen-Z’s aged 18-27 (57%) and millennials aged 28-43 (53%) are predominantly phone-oriented for everyday tasks. This trend continues with Gen-X (aged 44-59) who make 43% of their purchases and bookings on a smartphone[2]
In comparison, just 17% of baby boomers (aged 60-78) prefer to use their smartphone, viewing most tasks as “big internet” jobs - or jobs they would do on a tablet[2]. Furthermore, one in five Gen-Z respondents (17%) have never visited their bank in-person, relying entirely on apps on their smartphones[3].
Jobs people choose to use the “big internet” and “small internet’ for across all age groups[4]:
| “Big Internet” Job | “Small Internet” Job |
| Applying for a passport | Everyday banking |
| Researching holidays | Checking social media |
| Booking flights | Checking emails |
| Buying home insurance | Booking a taxi |
| Booking hotels | Booking train tickets |
| Buying travel insurance | Paying a utility bill |
| Making a big household purchase (£100 or more) | Requesting a prescription |
| Changing/amending energy contract | Changing a phone contract |
| Changing broadband provider | Buying clothes |
| Applying for a visa | Paying rent or mortgage |
The reasons for choosing the “small internet” over “big internet” for certain tasks include convenience (48%) and speed (39%)[5]. For laptop lovers, the ability to review details on a bigger screen (24%) and safety (17%)[5] are key drivers. Although many view the laptop as being the safest option, Gen-Z is the only generation to prefer smartphones for safety purposes (29%)[5].
Despite smartphones being the most-used option for making online purchases and bookings among Gen-Z (aged 18-27), it’s a different story for millennials (aged 28-43) and Gen-X (aged 44-59), who are still willing to spend more using a laptop[6].
Although many Brits prefer “small internet” for everyday tasks, they are willing to spend more when using their laptop. When booking flights, Brits are willing to spend £259 on their smartphone, compared to £333 on their laptop. Even when it comes to some classic “small internet” jobs such as purchasing train tickets, participants were willing to spend more using a laptop, (£120 vs. £99 via smartphone)[6].
Average cost Brits are willing to spend using a laptop compared to smartphones for different activities [6]
| Activity | Average Cost via a Laptop | Average Cost via a Smartphone |
| Booking flights | £333 | £259 |
| Booking hotels | £245 | £194 |
| Paying bills | £223 | £186 |
| Buying clothes | £139 | £118 |
| Booking concert/festival tickets | £135 | £119 |
| Food shopping | £123 | £104 |
| Booking train tickets | £120 | £99 |
| Managing a gym membership | £98 | £89 |
| Buying takeaways | £82 | £78 |
| Booking a taxi | £75 | £74 |
Sam Boden-Wright, 32 and owner of a small bakery business in Manchester, comments: "I'm currently planning a trip with friends and booking flights and hotels is something I can only do on my laptop. It's surprising to me that some people are comfortable doing this on their smartphones.
“For me, the bigger screen lets me thoroughly review all options, and it just doesn’t feel right to make such important bookings on a phone.
"What’s funny is I don’t think twice about using my smartphone for banking apps to transfer the same amounts to friends or pay bills. It’s clear that certain tasks just feel more natural on a laptop, while others are perfectly fine on a phone."
Simrat Sharma, tech expert at Uswitch.com, comments: "The social media debate around ‘big internet jobs’ versus ‘small internet jobs’ highlights what consumers really want from their tech, and how far tech has come - 10 years ago nobody would have understood you when you said that!
“The split between Gen-Z, millennials and the rest of the population does suggest that for most in the UK, the majority of online tasks can be done on the small-screen. Jobs that many adults previously saw as ‘big internet’ jobs like emailing and paying bills are now ‘small internet’ jobs.
“That’s not to say we can expect the death of the laptop anytime soon, but the growing convenience of mobile tech such as digital wallets and apps mean that people will always have the option to make purchases and access their information on the go.
“As smartphones continue to evolve and become increasingly more capable it will be interesting to see whether more and more people view certain ‘laptop’ tasks such as booking flights and making big purchases as jobs they feel comfortable doing on their mobile in the future.”
ENDS
For more information on trends around smartphones and usage, go to Uswitch.com.
Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from 02 August 2024 – 06 August 2024.
Respondents were asked “Which, if any, of the following statements are true to you?” 28% of respondents confirmed “I think some online purchases are a laptop job and some are a smartphone job”.
”Respondents were asked “What device do you most commonly use to make online purchases/bookings?” 39% of respondents confirmed “smartphone, 57%% of respondents aged 18-27 confirmed “smartphone”, 53%% of respondents aged 28-43 confirmed “smartphone.” 43%% of respondents aged 44- 59 confirmed “smartphone.” 17% of respondents aged 60-78 confirmed “smartphone”.
Respondents were asked “Which, if any, of the following statements are true to you?” 17% of respondents aged 18-27 confirmed “I have never been to my bank as I just use my banking app.”
Respondents were asked ““How do you primarily book/do each of these tasks related to travel/ home admin/lifestyle tasks/health and wellness tasks?” and given the option of smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet, in person, telephone or ‘I don’t do this.’
Respondents were asked “Why, if at all, do you make online purchases/bookings via this device? Please select all that apply. 48% of respondents confirmed “convenience” for smartphones, 39% of respondents for “speed” for smartphones, 24% of respondents for “bigger screen” for laptops, 17% of respondents for “safety” for laptops, 29% of respondents aged 18-27 for “safety” for smartphones.
Respondents were asked “How much would you be willing to spend on the following using the internet on your phone/laptop? Average amount from these options: booking flights, booking hotels, paying bills, buying clothes, booking concert/festival tickets, food shopping, booking train tickets, managing a gym membership, buying takeaways and booking a taxi.
Breakdown of tasks by tech used
| Book Flights | Book Hotels | Experiences | Buy travel insurance | Book Train tickets | Research holidays | Apply for a passport | Book an Airbnb | Apply for a visa | Book aTaxi | |
| Smartphone (online of those who do) | 21% | 27% | 23% | 29% | 42% | 31% | 22% | 37% | 25% | 50% |
| Smartphone | 21% | 27% | 23% | 22% | 33% | 27% | 18% | 21% | 15% | 37% |
| Laptop (online of those who do) | 29% | 28% | 23% | 35% | 25% | 34% | 40% | 31% | 38% | 11% |
| Laptop | 29% | 28% | 23% | 27% | 20% | 30% | 33% | 18% | 22% | 8% |
| Tablet | 9% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 7% | 12% | 8% | 8% | 6% | 4% |
| Desktop computer | 11% | 12% | 8% | 11% | 8% | 12% | 14% | 6% | 9% | 3% |
| Telephone | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 17% |
| In person | 2% | 0% | 1% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 4% | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| I use all devices interchangeably/not bothered which device i use | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| I don't do this/ I don't book this | 23% | 15% | 30% | 24% | 22% | 13% | 17% | 43% | 42% | 25% |
| Laptop or desktop | 41% | 41% | 31% | 38% | 28% | 43% | 47% | 24% | 32% | 11% |
| Buy home insurance | Make a big household purchase of over £100 | Make a big household purchase of over £500 | Make a big household purchase of over £1000 | Pay a utility bill | Buy food shopping | Change Broadband Provider | Change/amend energy contract | Everyday banking | Pay rent or mortgage | |
| Smartphone (online of those who do) | 25% | 27% | 21% | 20% | 35% | 24% | 25% | 28% | 50% | 42% |
| Smartphone | 22% | 25% | 18% | 16% | 32% | 21% | 21% | 23% | 48% | 26% |
| Laptop (online of those who do) | 33% | 29% | 32% | 29% | 27% | 19% | 32% | 32% | 18% | 25% |
| Laptop | 28% | 27% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 17% | 26% | 27% | 18% | 15% |
| Tablet | 10% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 10% | 7% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 6% |
| Desktop computer | 14% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 6% | 11% | 13% | 10% | 6% |
| Telephone | 4% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 9% | 6% | 3% | 2% |
| In person | 2% | 10% | 13% | 15% | 2% | 34% | 0% | 0% | 4% | 5% |
| I use all devices interchangeably/not bothered which device i use | 5% | 9% | 8% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 5% |
| I don't do this/ I don't book this | 14% | 6% | 13% | 19% | 10% | 9% | 18% | 15% | 3% | 39% |
| Laptop or desktop | 42% | 39% | 39% | 34% | 37% | 23% | 38% | 40% | 26% | 21% |
| Buy clothes | Check my emails | Use my social media account(s) | Online dating | Watch a movie | Change my phone contract | Buy gifts | |
| Smartphone (online of those who do) | 28% | 43% | 53% | 47% | 18% | 37% | 30% |
| Smartphone | 27% | 42% | 44% | 16% | 12% | 30% | 29% |
| Laptop (online of those who do) | 18% | 22% | 19% | 19% | 24% | 21% | 20% |
| Laptop | 17% | 21% | 14% | 6% | 18% | 17% | 19% |
| Tablet | 8% | 12% | 9% | 5% | 9% | 8% | 9% |
| Desktop computer | 8% | 10% | 6% | 4% | 6% | 8% | 9% |
| Telephone | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 7% | 1% |
| In person | 25% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 13% | 5% | 16% |
| I use all devices interchangeably/not bothered which device i use | 9% | 11% | 8% | 2% | 12% | 6% | 12% |
| I don't do this/ I don't book this | 5% | 2% | 15% | 66% | 27% | 19% | 6% |
| Laptop or desktop | 26% | 31% | 21% | 10% | 24% | 25% | 28% |
| Book a beauty appointment | Book a medical appointment | Request a prescription | Buy a gym membership | Book a hair appointment | Book a dentist appointment | Book an eye test | Buy private medical insurance | Find or follow a recipe | |
| Smartphone (online of those who do) | 43% | 29% | 36% | 41% | 33% | 27% | 32% | 39% | 40% |
| Smartphone | 21% | 27% | 31% | 17% | 23% | 24% | 28% | 15% | 32% |
| Laptop (online of those who do) | 12% | 12% | 17% | 19% | 10% | 9% | 15% | 24% | 14% |
| Laptop | 6% | 11% | 15% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 14% | 9% | 16% |
| Tablet | 4% | 6% | 8% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 12% |
| Desktop computer | 3% | 5% | 8% | 4% | 3% | 5% | 7% | 4% | 7% |
| Telephone | 7% | 31% | 11% | 1% | 15% | 30% | 19% | 2% | 2% |
| In person | 4% | 6% | 9% | 4% | 12% | 11% | 9% | 1% | 3% |
| I use all devices interchangeably/not bothered which device i use | 3% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 8% |
| I don't do this/ I don't book this | 51% | 8% | 14% | 58% | 31% | 13% | 12% | 62% | 20% |
| Laptop or desktop | 9% | 17% | 23% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 21% | 14% | 23% |
Harriet Atkinson
Telecoms PR Manager
harriet.atkinson@uswitch.com
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.