Older people are also gaming on their smartphones

The smartphone is increasingly becoming the entertainment hub for the over-50s. This is shown by the emporia Smartphone Study 2026/2027, for which 1,000 German citizens aged 50 and over were surveyed.

When asked which entertainment features on a smartphone are important, 63 per cent cited the camera and photo album. 44 per cent use YouTube, media libraries and streaming services, whilst 40 per cent listen to music, the radio or podcasts.

Notably, according to the emporia study, almost a third (27 per cent) of the over-50s regularly play games on their smartphones. The most popular games in this age group are classic card games, digital board games and brain teasers. However, long-standing favourites such as Subway Surfers, Candy Crush Saga and Roblox – which have consistently dominated the German app charts for years – are played by people of all ages.

This trend is also backed up by figures from the digital industry association Bitkom. According to these, one in five people aged 65 and over already plays video and computer games at least occasionally. On YouTube, there is a channel entitled “Senioren Zocken”, which has been subscribed to by just under 800,000 users.

Furthermore, the Bitkom survey shows that the smartphone is now one of the most widely used gaming devices of all – a trend that is also reflected among older users.

To ensure that gaming on a smartphone remains a comfortable experience even in old age, devices tailored to the needs of this target group are required. An easy-to-use smartphone such as the emporiaSMART.8 stands out with its large, easy-to-read control panels and a clear OLED display. These features not only make everyday use easier, but also specifically enhance the gaming experience: card games, puzzles and other casual games can be played much more comfortably thanks to large icons and high-contrast visuals.