39 Smartphone Sales and Usage Statistics

Smartphones have changed our lives. How we talk to people, shop, have fun, and find information is very different now compared to a decade ago.

A lot of us now use our phones to go on the internet, search for information, shop, and engage with other people. We’re not even close to the limit when it comes to modern smartphone use. With easy-to-use mobile development platforms, developers can now create mobile applications for calling cabs, ordering food, or scheduling important appointments to make people’s lives easier.

Let’s explore how people and professionals use smartphones as part of their daily lives.

Top smartphone statistics and trends

With the rise of fifth-generation (5G) technology, the internet has become faster and more reliable. It encourages smartphone users to stream high-quality videos on mobile, enjoy gaming, and use data-intensive applications. 

A rise in smartphone users is happening all across the globe. Interestingly, the number of mobile connections is more than that of people worldwide, per the stats below.

• Mobile internet usage grew from 51.1% in 2017 to 59.1% in 2022.
• College graduates are 20% more likely to own a smartphone than people who ended formal education in high school.
• Americans touch their phones 2,617 times daily on average.
• Gen Z is more likely to admit to overusing their smartphones than other generations.
• Women generally use smartphones longer than me.
• Internet use now accounts for more than half of smartphone screen time.
• Social media is a primary reason for smartphone use. 85% of 5.27 billion mobile phone users use social media.

• Cell phone usage is expected to grow steadily, with an estimated 7.34 billion users by 2025.
• Smartphone app usage in the US has increased by 25% since 2019.
• By 2025, around 72% of global smartphone owners will access the internet solely using their smartphones.
• There are over 10.37 billion mobile connections worldwide, more than the global population.
• By 2026, smartphone users are expected to reach 7.52 billion.
• The average American checks their phone every ten to twelve minutes.
• In Thailand, smartphone use per capita is among the highest (31%) globally.
• The UK and China also show consistent increases in smartphone usage.
• Most people believe excessive screen time negatively impacts mental health.
• The global mobile industry is growing, with increasing smartphone subscriptions and screen time projected for the future.

Smartphone sales and shipment statistics

Smartphone sales and shipment have observed varied trends in recent years. Overall, the global smartphone market revenue experienced a decline after showing consistent growth over the years. However, the number of smartphone users is increasing globally. 

• In 2022’s third quarter, smartphone shipments were 301.9 million units worldwide. It declined in the next few quarters and regained momentum in Q3 2023, with 302.8 million units shipped.
• From 2011 to 2022, global smartphone market revenue mostly increased. However, in 2022, it fell from over $448 billion to around $419 billion.
• Android smartphone sales dropped globally in 2022, marking the second year of decline after a decade of growth. In 2021, Android devices made up 83.32% of smartphone sales.

• Apple's iOS gained market share in the third quarter of 2023, capturing about 16.6%. This aligns with Apple’s trend of strong fourth-quarter market shares and slower sales during the rest of the year.
• North America led in smartphone adoption in 2022, with 84% penetration. This is expected to rise to 90% by 2030. Asia Pacific regions are also predicted to see larger growth rates.
• The global smartphone penetration rate reached 68% in 2022. This is based on 6.3 billion smartphone subscriptions and a global population of about 7.4 billion.
• Smartphone users worldwide are increasing. In 2024, they are expected to number 4.74 billion, a 2.2% annual increase. Since 2013, this is an 82.8% increase, or 2.15 billion more users.
• The growth rate of global smartphone users from 2013 to 2024 averaged 6.2% annually, with the largest increase of 20.9% occurring in 2014.

Smartphone usage statistics

The smartphone market in the United States is on the rise. Many Americans now own smartphones, and their usage almost never stops, with people frequently checking their phones throughout the day, starting from the moment they wake up. 

The high usage relates to the time spent on various mobile apps, indicating smartphones are a central part of daily digital activities, especially in entertainment and social media. The statistics below unveil the real picture of smartphone usage for US citizens.

• In 2023, 81.6% of Americans, or 270 million people, owned smartphones.
• Americans spend an average of 5 hours and 24 minutes on their mobile devices daily.
• On average, Americans check their phones 96 times a day, which is about once every ten minutes.

• In 2023, there were approximately 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide, accounting for 86% of the global population.
• In 2022, 59% of web traffic came from mobile devices.
• People spent 90% of their mobile time on apps in 2021.
• 17% of Americans still use feature phones, more common among lower-income and older demographics.
• Smartphones account for 70% of US digital media time, dominating games, social media, and entertainment consumption.

Smartphone and mobile commerce

The mobile commerce market has become a major part of e-commerce, with many smartphone users purchasing through their devices. This trend is particularly strong in the US where mobile commerce is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The stats below clearly justify the trend. 

• In 2021, the mobile commerce (m-commerce) market comprised nearly 73% of e-commerce.
• 79% of smartphone users made a purchase using their device in 2021.
• US. m-commerce is projected to grow significantly between 2020 and 2026.

The future seems smart

Smartphones are changing our habits and the way we connect with the world. New changes and trends could emerge with more people using smartphones every year, which means new ways of shopping, more eclectic apps, and other exciting developments.

The statistics above show us how smartphones shape our daily routines, communication, and choices. They’re an essential part of our lives now. Keep an eye on these trends and consider how to make them smarter. 

Got an idea? 

Learn more about building interesting mobile applications with a software development kit (SDK).