GITNUXREPORT 2025

Mobile Industry Statistics

Mobile industry thrives with billions of users, revenue, and rapid growth worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

78% of mobile app revenue comes from in-app purchases

Statistic 2

The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps is around $38 globally

Statistic 3

The fastest-growing mobile segment in 2023 is mobile gaming, accounting for nearly 45% of total mobile app revenue

Statistic 4

The average time to develop a mobile app is approximately 4 to 6 months

Statistic 5

The average cost-per-install (CPI) for mobile apps in 2023 is about $3.50 globally

Statistic 6

The average cost to develop a mobile app ranges from $50,000 to over $150,000 depending on complexity

Statistic 7

Mobile app revenues in North America account for approximately 41% of global mobile app revenue in 2023

Statistic 8

62% of mobile users have made a purchase using their smartphone in the last 6 months

Statistic 9

Mobile payments are expected to total $7 trillion globally by 2024

Statistic 10

QR code payments are expected to generate over $2 trillion in transactions globally by 2024

Statistic 11

Over 60% of mobile commerce transactions are completed via mobile wallets or contactless payments

Statistic 12

Mobile internet speed worldwide averaged around 50 Mbps in 2023

Statistic 13

42% of mobile users globally use VPNs to protect their privacy

Statistic 14

Mobile device theft accounts for approximately 25% of all reported thefts in urban areas

Statistic 15

As of 2023, there are approximately 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide

Statistic 16

Mobile data traffic is expected to reach 789 EB per month by 2025

Statistic 17

Android holds approximately 70% of the global mobile operating system market share

Statistic 18

iOS accounts for around 27% of the global mobile OS market share

Statistic 19

The global mobile advertising market was valued at over $300 billion in 2023

Statistic 20

Mobile e-commerce accounts for roughly 73% of total e-commerce sales worldwide in 2023

Statistic 21

The number of 5G connections worldwide exceeded 1.3 billion in 2023

Statistic 22

In 2023, global mobile app downloads reached approximately 250 billion

Statistic 23

The mobile gaming industry revenue is projected to reach $109 billion in 2023

Statistic 24

Mobile AR and VR market revenue is expected to reach $3.9 billion in 2023

Statistic 25

Android’s Google Play Store has over 3.5 million apps available as of 2023

Statistic 26

Apple’s App Store had over 2.1 million apps available in 2023

Statistic 27

The global mobile network operator revenue was roughly $1.4 trillion in 2023

Statistic 28

Mobile subscription revenue per user in emerging markets exceeds that of developed markets

Statistic 29

The use of 5G enabled devices increased by 40% in 2023

Statistic 30

In 2023, the global 4G LTE market share is approximately 52%, while 5G is at 30%

Statistic 31

The number of mobile app downloads in emerging markets is projected to surpass 150 billion annually by 2025

Statistic 32

Mobile enterprise solutions are expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% through 2027

Statistic 33

The global mobile security market was valued at approximately $4.2 billion in 2023

Statistic 34

The global location-based services market is expected to reach $110 billion by 2027

Statistic 35

Mobile app subscriptions in 2023 are projected to grow by 24% compared to 2022

Statistic 36

75% of internet traffic globally comes from mobile devices

Statistic 37

The average smartphone user spends about 4 hours and 15 minutes on their device daily

Statistic 38

89% of mobile users own a smartphone, while only 11% own just a feature phone

Statistic 39

57% of mobile users prefer to watch videos on their smartphones rather than other types of content

Statistic 40

The average mobile app retention rate after 30 days is approximately 20%

Statistic 41

65% of mobile users say they would not recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site or app

Statistic 42

Nearly 90% of mobile users prefer to use apps over mobile browsers for their online activities

Statistic 43

The average smartphone user has about 80 apps installed, but uses only around 20 on a regular basis

Statistic 44

48% of global emails are opened on mobile devices in 2023

Statistic 45

70% of mobile users have experienced mobile app crashes in the last 6 months

Statistic 46

85% of mobile app users find mobile-friendly content to be very important in their decision to stay or leave a site

Statistic 47

84% of mobile users say they are more likely to buy from a mobile-friendly website or app

Statistic 48

Mobile social media usage accounts for over 80% of total social media time spent

Statistic 49

60% of mobile consumers prefer to shop online via smartphones rather than desktops

Statistic 50

Mobile search accounts for over 60% of Google’s total search volume as of 2023

Statistic 51

The majority of mobile app installs happen within the first 72 hours of release

Statistic 52

In 2023, 54% of mobile users access the internet mostly through Wi-Fi networks

Statistic 53

By the end of 2023, over 50% of global internet traffic is expected to originate from mobile devices

Statistic 54

The average session length for mobile games is about 6 minutes

Statistic 55

33% of mobile users report they have abandoned a purchase because of a slow-loading mobile site or app

Statistic 56

Nearly 70% of mobile consumers use mobile banking apps regularly

Statistic 57

55% of mobile users worldwide prefer to use their phones for streaming music

Statistic 58

The average number of touchpoints in a customer mobile journey is 12

Statistic 59

80% of mobile users prefer dark mode in their apps and interfaces

Statistic 60

The penetration rate of wearable devices connected to mobile networks reached 28% of global internet users in 2023

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Sources

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Key Highlights

As of 2023, there are approximately 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide
Mobile data traffic is expected to reach 789 EB per month by 2025
75% of internet traffic globally comes from mobile devices
The average smartphone user spends about 4 hours and 15 minutes on their device daily
Android holds approximately 70% of the global mobile operating system market share
iOS accounts for around 27% of the global mobile OS market share
The global mobile advertising market was valued at over $300 billion in 2023
Mobile e-commerce accounts for roughly 73% of total e-commerce sales worldwide in 2023
62% of mobile users have made a purchase using their smartphone in the last 6 months
78% of mobile app revenue comes from in-app purchases
The number of 5G connections worldwide exceeded 1.3 billion in 2023
89% of mobile users own a smartphone, while only 11% own just a feature phone
In 2023, global mobile app downloads reached approximately 250 billion

The mobile industry is transforming the way we live, work, and play, with over 6.9 billion smartphone users globally and mobile data traffic projected to hit 789 exabytes per month by 2025—highlighting an unstoppable rise in mobile engagement, commerce, and innovation.

Mobile Applications and Revenue

78% of mobile app revenue comes from in-app purchases
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile apps is around $38 globally
The fastest-growing mobile segment in 2023 is mobile gaming, accounting for nearly 45% of total mobile app revenue
The average time to develop a mobile app is approximately 4 to 6 months
The average cost-per-install (CPI) for mobile apps in 2023 is about $3.50 globally
The average cost to develop a mobile app ranges from $50,000 to over $150,000 depending on complexity
Mobile app revenues in North America account for approximately 41% of global mobile app revenue in 2023

Mobile Applications and Revenue Interpretation

With nearly 78% of revenue stemming from in-app purchases and mobile gaming dominating nearly half of all revenue, the mobile industry's rapid development cycle and global investment highlight a lucrative, if fiercely competitive, landscape where developers must craft engaging experiences—often in just a few months—to capitalize on a $38 ARPU and North America’s commanding 41% share.

Mobile Commerce and Payments

62% of mobile users have made a purchase using their smartphone in the last 6 months
Mobile payments are expected to total $7 trillion globally by 2024
QR code payments are expected to generate over $2 trillion in transactions globally by 2024
Over 60% of mobile commerce transactions are completed via mobile wallets or contactless payments

Mobile Commerce and Payments Interpretation

These statistics reveal that smartphones have become the world's most convenient cash register, with mobile payments skyrocketing toward trillions—making the future of retail as wireless as the pocket in your jeans.

Mobile Infrastructure and Security

Mobile internet speed worldwide averaged around 50 Mbps in 2023
42% of mobile users globally use VPNs to protect their privacy
Mobile device theft accounts for approximately 25% of all reported thefts in urban areas

Mobile Infrastructure and Security Interpretation

As mobile users worldwide surf at lightning-fast speeds averaging 50 Mbps, nearly half protect their privacy with VPNs, while urban thieves see their chance, grabbing a quarter of all reported mobile device thefts—proving that in the digital and physical world, security remains a constant game of speed versus stealth.

Mobile Market Size and Growth

As of 2023, there are approximately 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide
Mobile data traffic is expected to reach 789 EB per month by 2025
Android holds approximately 70% of the global mobile operating system market share
iOS accounts for around 27% of the global mobile OS market share
The global mobile advertising market was valued at over $300 billion in 2023
Mobile e-commerce accounts for roughly 73% of total e-commerce sales worldwide in 2023
The number of 5G connections worldwide exceeded 1.3 billion in 2023
In 2023, global mobile app downloads reached approximately 250 billion
The mobile gaming industry revenue is projected to reach $109 billion in 2023
Mobile AR and VR market revenue is expected to reach $3.9 billion in 2023
Android’s Google Play Store has over 3.5 million apps available as of 2023
Apple’s App Store had over 2.1 million apps available in 2023
The global mobile network operator revenue was roughly $1.4 trillion in 2023
Mobile subscription revenue per user in emerging markets exceeds that of developed markets
The use of 5G enabled devices increased by 40% in 2023
In 2023, the global 4G LTE market share is approximately 52%, while 5G is at 30%
The number of mobile app downloads in emerging markets is projected to surpass 150 billion annually by 2025
Mobile enterprise solutions are expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% through 2027
The global mobile security market was valued at approximately $4.2 billion in 2023
The global location-based services market is expected to reach $110 billion by 2027
Mobile app subscriptions in 2023 are projected to grow by 24% compared to 2022

Mobile Market Size and Growth Interpretation

With nearly 7 billion users fueling a booming ecosystem where mobile data traffic rivals space travel at 789 EB monthly, Android’s 70% dominance fuels a sprawling app universe over 5 million strong, while a trillion-dollar industry boldly aims to keep us glued through advertising, shopping, gaming, and immersive AR/VR—all testament to how mobile has become not just our smartphone, but the heartbeat of global commerce, entertainment, and security.

Mobile User Behavior and Demographics

75% of internet traffic globally comes from mobile devices
The average smartphone user spends about 4 hours and 15 minutes on their device daily
89% of mobile users own a smartphone, while only 11% own just a feature phone
57% of mobile users prefer to watch videos on their smartphones rather than other types of content
The average mobile app retention rate after 30 days is approximately 20%
65% of mobile users say they would not recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site or app
Nearly 90% of mobile users prefer to use apps over mobile browsers for their online activities
The average smartphone user has about 80 apps installed, but uses only around 20 on a regular basis
48% of global emails are opened on mobile devices in 2023
70% of mobile users have experienced mobile app crashes in the last 6 months
85% of mobile app users find mobile-friendly content to be very important in their decision to stay or leave a site
84% of mobile users say they are more likely to buy from a mobile-friendly website or app
Mobile social media usage accounts for over 80% of total social media time spent
60% of mobile consumers prefer to shop online via smartphones rather than desktops
Mobile search accounts for over 60% of Google’s total search volume as of 2023
The majority of mobile app installs happen within the first 72 hours of release
In 2023, 54% of mobile users access the internet mostly through Wi-Fi networks
By the end of 2023, over 50% of global internet traffic is expected to originate from mobile devices
The average session length for mobile games is about 6 minutes
33% of mobile users report they have abandoned a purchase because of a slow-loading mobile site or app
Nearly 70% of mobile consumers use mobile banking apps regularly
55% of mobile users worldwide prefer to use their phones for streaming music
The average number of touchpoints in a customer mobile journey is 12
80% of mobile users prefer dark mode in their apps and interfaces
The penetration rate of wearable devices connected to mobile networks reached 28% of global internet users in 2023

Mobile User Behavior and Demographics Interpretation

With 75% of internet traffic flowing through our pocket-sized supercomputers, it’s clear that in the mobile era, your site better be fast, friendly, and fit for the thumb—because if it’s not, 65% of users will walk away, and 80% will just switch to dark mode before doing so.