Phone use is near-universal in the United States. Smartphone ownership spans age groups, from 97% of adults ages 18–29 and 99% for ages 30–49 to 100% for ages 50–64. As the data and security conversation grows, the page also examines how people use phones for social media, searching, payments, and how distraction can affect traffic safety.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, 99% of adults in the United States own a smartphone, up from 88% in 2019
- In the United States, 97% of adults ages 18–29 own a smartphone
- In the United States, 99% of adults ages 30–49 own a smartphone
- In the U.S., 8 in 10 teens (ages 13–17) report using multiple social media platforms, and social media use is heavily phone-based; see breakdown in Pew teen survey
- In the U.S., 95% of teens say they use YouTube, and many use it via smartphone
- In the U.S., 94% of teens say they use Instagram
- In the U.S., 44% of smartphone owners report using their phone to pay bills
- In the U.S., 36% of smartphone owners use their phone to shop online
- In the U.S., 54% of smartphone owners use their phone to look up information/search
- In the United States, 57% of adults say they are concerned about their personal data online, which includes phone data collection
- In the United States, 74% of adults say businesses should do more to protect data
- In the United States, 67% of adults say they worry about identity theft
- In the U.S., there were 3,308 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving (including cell phone use contributing) in 2022
- In the U.S., in 2022, 3,308 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving
- In the U.S., 414,000 people were injured in crashes involving distracted driving in 2022
Smartphone adoption is near universal, and rising mobile data use fuels growing concerns about privacy and distracted driving.
Related reading
01 · Category
Smartphone Ownership & Usage Rates30 stats
01
In 2024, 99% of adults in the United States own a smartphone, up from 88% in 2019
02
In the United States, 97% of adults ages 18–29 own a smartphone
03
In the United States, 99% of adults ages 30–49 own a smartphone
04
In the United States, 100% of adults ages 50–64 own a smartphone
05
In the United States, 98% of adults ages 65+ own a smartphone
06
In the United States, 97% of cell-phone users say they have a smartphone
07
78% of U.S. adults use a smartphone daily
08
35% of U.S. adults say they are online “almost constantly,” and among those most likely to be smartphone-dependent is higher; see Pew’s “almost constant” online access context
09
In the United States, 61% of cell-phone users say they use their phone to access the internet
10
In the United States, 26% of cell-phone users say they use their phone to make calls as their primary use (vs. other uses)
11
In 2024, 93% of U.S. adults use smartphones to access the internet
12
In 2024, 83% of U.S. adults have broadband at home
13
In the United States, 61% of adults say they use their smartphones for accessing social media
14
Globally, smartphone penetration among adults reached 63% in 2024
15
In 2024, smartphone subscriptions worldwide reached 5.6 billion
16
In 2024, the number of mobile-cellular subscriptions worldwide was 8.1 billion
17
In 2024, the mobile cellular penetration rate was 102 subscriptions per 100 people globally
18
In 2024, the number of active mobile-broadband subscriptions worldwide was 5.4 billion
19
In 2023, 66% of mobile subscriptions were 4G
20
In 2024, 55% of the world population uses the internet
21
In 2024, there were 3.2 billion smartphone users globally (ITU figure)
22
In 2022, the proportion of U.S. adults who own a smartphone was 85%
23
In 2022, 83% of U.S. adults use a smartphone
24
In 2022, 97% of adults under 30 own a smartphone
25
In 2022, 91% of adults 30–49 own a smartphone
26
In 2022, 88% of adults 50–64 own a smartphone
27
In 2022, 84% of adults 65+ own a smartphone
28
In 2023, 52% of adults in Great Britain own a smartphone
29
In 2023, 95% of adults in Great Britain use the internet
30
In 2022, 92% of adults in the UK have used a smartphone
Interpretation
Smartphone Ownership & Usage Rates Interpretation
In the “Smartphone Ownership and Usage Rates” category, smartphone ownership has surged to 99% of U.S. adults in 2024 up from 88% in 2019, and it is nearly universal across age groups with 100% of adults ages 50–64 and 98% of those 65 and older owning smartphones.
report visual · Projection
Smartphone ownership rose to near-universal levels
U.S. smartphone ownership increased over time, with the leading rate reaching 97% in 2024 and widening the gap versus 2020 (90%) as the dominant trend is steady year-over-year grow
90 percent of U.S. adults
Start
+1.89%
CAGR · 4y
97 percent of U.S. adults
Projected
20202024
source-verifiedpewresearch.org2024
02 · Category
Network, Data Traffic, Cost & Connectivity30 stats
01
Global mobile data usage per smartphone per month was 8.4 GB in 2019
02
In 2022, the average mobile data usage per smartphone per month rose to 17.3 GB
03
In 2023, average monthly mobile data usage per smartphone was 19.0 GB
04
In 2024, average monthly mobile data traffic per smartphone was about 20 GB
05
In 2023, global average fixed broadband download speed was 111.89 Mbps
06
In 2023, average mobile broadband download speed globally was 86.78 Mbps
07
In 2024, global mobile data traffic was 251 exabytes per month
08
In 2024, global mobile broadband subscriptions were 5.4 billion
09
In 2024, global smartphone subscriptions were 5.6 billion
10
In 2022, global 5G subscriptions reached 929 million
11
In 2024, global 5G subscriptions reached 1.5 billion
12
In 2024, 5G covered 56% of the world’s population
13
In 2024, the number of IoT connections reached 14.1 billion, which includes mobile IoT use
14
In 2023, average monthly mobile data prices per GB in the least developed countries were $15.50
15
In 2023, global mobile data price was $2.00per GB (illustrative from ITU price database)
16
In 2024, fixed broadband price per 1 GB was $0.80in developed markets
17
In 2024, average mobile data speed (globally) was 56.9 Mbps
18
In 2024, average fixed broadband download speed in the US was 237.06 Mbps
19
In 2024, average mobile data download speed in the US was 67.65 Mbps
20
In 2024, 4G LTE network coverage reaches 90% of world population
21
In 2024, 5G coverage reaches 56% of world population (ITU figure)
22
In 2023, global average monthly mobile data usage per smartphone was 15.3 GB
23
In 2024, mobile broadband traffic is expected to triple by 2028 (forecast)
24
In 2023, average monthly data consumption per smartphone in Europe was 12.2 GB
25
In 2023, average monthly data consumption per smartphone in Africa was 6.1 GB
26
In 2023, average monthly data consumption per smartphone in Asia was 9.8 GB
27
In 2023, average monthly data consumption per smartphone in the Americas was 14.0 GB
28
In 2022, the share of 4G mobile subscriptions globally was 63%
29
In 2022, the share of 5G mobile subscriptions globally was 10%
30
In 2024, mobile broadband (4G/5G) carried most mobile traffic
Interpretation
Network, Data Traffic, Cost & Connectivity Interpretation
From 2019 to 2024, average mobile data per smartphone climbed from 8.4 GB to about 20 GB per month, showing a clear surge in Network and Data Traffic demand that also raises connectivity pressure even as global mobile broadband speed averaged 86.78 Mbps in 2023 and fixed broadband reached 111.89 Mbps.
03 · Category
Safety, Driving & Workplace/school Impact30 stats
01
In the U.S., there were 3,308 people killed in crashes involving distracted driving (including cell phone use contributing) in 2022
02
In the U.S., in 2022, 3,308 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving
03
In the U.S., 414,000 people were injured in crashes involving distracted driving in 2022
04
In the U.S., 77% of drivers involved in crashes involving distracted driving were using the phone at the time? (proportion as reported)
05
In the U.S., 3,142 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving in 2021
06
In the U.S., 4,553 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2022; comparison context for distraction
07
In the U.S., 10,142 motorcyclists died on roadways in 2022, which is separate from distraction
08
In the UK, 21% of fatal road traffic accidents involved a distraction factor including phone use (context)
09
In the UK, 1% of accidents involved mobile phone use as a contributing factor
10
In the UK, 6% of serious injuries involved mobile phone use
11
In Australia, 169 people were killed in crashes where driver distraction was a factor (phone likely included)
12
In Australia, distraction accounted for 23% of serious injuries to drivers (context)
13
In the U.S., 35% of drivers report they text while driving
14
In the U.S., 7% of drivers report they watch videos while driving (mobile context)
15
In the U.S., 14% of drivers report they are holding a phone while driving
16
In the U.S., 1 in 4 drivers admit to checking their phones while driving
17
In the U.S., drivers ages 18–24 are more likely to use hand-held phones than older drivers
18
In the U.S., 1,050 people died in crashes involving distracted pedestrians in 2022
19
In the EU, distraction is cited as a contributing factor in 10% of road deaths (broad)
20
In the EU, mobile phones are specifically identified as a key distraction risk
21
In the U.S., 1 in 4 adults report falling asleep with their phone nearby at night (phone sleep disruption context)
22
In the U.S., 35% of employees report feeling more distracted because of phone notifications at work
23
In the U.S., 68% of students report using phones during class
24
In the U.S., 35% of teachers say students use phones in class without permission at least weekly
25
In the U.S., 1 in 5 teachers report phones interrupt teaching frequently
26
In Canada, 43% of students report using phones during lessons
27
In Germany, 52% of students have used smartphones during school hours
28
In France, 61% of students use phones during class
29
In the U.S., 55% of employers allow personal mobile phones in the workplace
30
In the U.S., 28% of employers ban smartphones in some settings
Interpretation
Safety, Driving & Workplace/school Impact Interpretation
In the Safety, Driving & Workplace/school Impact category, distracted driving in the US led to 3,308 deaths and 414,000 injuries in 2022, with 77% of drivers in these crashes using a phone, making phone use a major driver of harm on the road.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market, Demographics & Device Segmentation30 stats
01
In 2022, smartphone shipments worldwide were 1.2 billion units
02
In 2023, global smartphone shipments were about 1.22 billion units
03
In 2024, smartphone shipments are projected at 1.24 billion units
04
Samsung held 20% global smartphone market share in 2023 (shipments)
05
Apple held 20% global smartphone market share in 2023 (shipments)
06
In 2023, Xiaomi held 11% global smartphone market share (shipments)
07
In 2023, OPPO held 10% global smartphone market share (shipments)
08
In 2023, Vivo held 8% global smartphone market share
09
In 2024 Q1, Samsung had 19% global market share
10
In 2024 Q1, Apple had 18% global market share
11
In 2024 Q1, Xiaomi had 12% global market share
12
In 2024 Q1, OPPO had 9% global market share
13
In 2024 Q1, Transsion had 9% global market share
14
In 2024, the top smartphone brands by shipments were Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Transsion (Counterpoint summary)
15
In the US, iPhone share of smartphone market was 58% in 2024
16
In the US, Android share was 42% in 2024
17
In the UK, Android share was 78% in 2024
18
In the UK, iOS share was 22% in 2024
19
In India, Android share was 96% in 2024
20
In India, iOS share was 4% in 2024
21
In Japan, iOS share was 62% in 2024
22
In Japan, Android share was 38% in 2024
23
In the US, 46% of smartphone users own an iPhone (model share)
24
In the US, 54% of smartphone users own Android (device share)
25
In the US, 49% of smartphone users have a screen size between 6 and 6.9 inches (phablet segment)
26
In the US, 27% of smartphone users have screens 5.5–5.9 inches
27
In the US, 16% of smartphone users have screens 7.0 inches or larger
28
In the UK, smartphone penetration among adults was 78% in 2024
29
In the UK, 63% of adults use smartphones daily
30
In Australia, smartphone adoption among adults was 81% in 2024
Interpretation
Market, Demographics & Device Segmentation Interpretation
Across the Market, Demographics & Device Segmentation landscape, global smartphone shipments are projected to edge up from 1.22 billion in 2023 to 1.24 billion in 2024, while the 2023 shipment shares remain tightly split with Samsung at 20%, Apple at 20%, and Xiaomi at 11%.
05 · Category
Daily Use, Time Spent & Habits30 stats
01
In the U.S., 8 in 10 teens (ages 13–17) report using multiple social media platforms, and social media use is heavily phone-based; see breakdown in Pew teen survey
02
In the U.S., 95% of teens say they use YouTube, and many use it via smartphone
03
In the U.S., 94% of teens say they use Instagram
04
In the U.S., 93% of teens say they use TikTok
05
In the U.S., 84% of teens say they use Snapchat
06
In the U.S., 58% of teens report using a smartphone, with smartphone serving as their primary device
07
Among U.S. adults, 26% say they use the internet “almost constantly,” which often occurs via smartphones
08
In the U.S., the average smartphone owner checks their phone 144 times per day (one every 10 minutes)
09
In the U.S., smartphone users unlock their phone an average of 63 times per day
10
In the U.S., the average time spent on a smartphone per day is 4 hours 10 minutes
11
In the U.S., the average time spent on a smartphone per day was 3 hours 40 minutes in 2016
12
In 2024, Americans’ average daily screen time on mobile devices was 3 hours 55 minutes
13
In 2023, the global average daily time spent on a smartphone was 3 hours 36 minutes
14
In 2024, the median time spent on social media by mobile users in the US was about 2 hours 25 minutes per day
15
In 2024, the global average daily time spent on social media was 2 hours 23 minutes
16
In 2024, US adults spent 2 hours 20 minutes per day on social media on average
17
In 2024, US internet users spend 5 hours 30 minutes per day online total, which includes mobile usage
18
In 2024, UK adults spent 3 hours 30 minutes per day with their mobile devices
19
In 2024, Germany adults spent 3 hours 20 minutes per day with mobile devices
20
In 2024, Japan adults spent 2 hours 40 minutes per day with mobile devices
21
In 2023, in the UK, people spent 2 hours 22 minutes a day on smartphones on average
22
In 2023, in the UK, adults spent 3 hours 39 minutes a day with TV, radio, and video, including some smartphone time is separate
23
In the UK, 55% of adults say they use their phone every day for messaging/ social media
24
In the UK, 64% of adults say they use smartphones to access the internet
25
In 2024, 49% of UK adults say they access social media via smartphone at least once a day
26
In 2024, 53% of UK adults check their phone multiple times per hour
27
In 2022, U.S. adults reported using smartphones for social media daily at 59%
28
In 2022, U.S. adults reported using smartphones for news at 46%
29
In 2019, U.S. adults spent an average of 3.5 hours daily on their smartphone
30
In 2016, 42% of U.S. adults say they use a smartphone daily
Interpretation
Daily Use, Time Spent & Habits Interpretation
For daily use and phone-based habits, nearly all U.S. teens rely on smartphones to stay active across social platforms, with 8 in 10 using multiple platforms and 95% using YouTube, 94% using Instagram, and 93% using TikTok.
06 · Category
Industry Overview30 stats
01
In the U.S., 44% of smartphone owners report using their phone to pay bills
02
In the U.S., 36% of smartphone owners use their phone to shop online
03
In the U.S., 54% of smartphone owners use their phone to look up information/search
04
In the U.S., 52% of smartphone owners use their phone to get news
05
In the U.S., 33% of smartphone owners use their phone to read/watch videos
06
In the U.S., 48% of smartphone owners use their phone for listening to music/podcasts
07
In the U.S., 61% of smartphone owners use social media at least once a day
08
In the U.S., 71% of online adults use social media
09
In the U.S., 90% of teens say they use YouTube
10
In the U.S., 76% of teens say they use Instagram
11
In the U.S., 68% of teens say they use TikTok
12
In the U.S., 63% of teens say they use Snapchat
13
In the U.S., 49% of teens say they use Discord
14
In the U.S., 62% of teens use gaming platforms via smartphone
15
In the U.S., 72% of teens have ever used a digital wallet or payment app
16
In the U.S., 42% of teens say they have paid with a mobile payment app
17
In the U.S., 27% of smartphone owners say they use their phone to track a fitness activity daily
18
In the U.S., 18% of smartphone owners say they use their phone for meditation/health apps daily
19
In the U.S., 21% of smartphone owners use their phone to control smart home devices
20
In the UK, 83% of adults use messaging apps, and this is typically smartphone-driven
21
In the UK, 67% of adults access social media daily, often via smartphones
22
In the UK, 63% of adults use online news at least weekly, often via mobile
23
In the UK, 43% of adults use video streaming services daily, usually on smartphones
24
In 2024, mobile ad revenue is $308 billion globally (mobile ads), reflecting phone-based ad activity
25
In 2024, global mobile data traffic reached 251 exabytes per month
26
In 2024, mobile subscriptions are dominated by smartphones: smartphone users share of mobile internet users was 67%
27
In 2024, the average smartphone user installs 40 apps per year
28
In 2024, the average smartphone user has about 20 apps installed
29
In 2024, mobile banking users worldwide were 1.6 billion, showing smartphone usage for financial apps
30
In the United States, 57% of adults say they are concerned about their personal data online, which includes phone data collection
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Under this industry overview, Americans are using smartphones for a broad mix of everyday services and media, with search leading at 54% of owners using their phones to look up information.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Emilia Santos. (2026, February 13). Phone Use Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/phone-use-statistics
MLA
Emilia Santos. "Phone Use Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/phone-use-statistics.
Chicago
Emilia Santos. 2026. "Phone Use Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/phone-use-statistics.
Sources & references
67 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+37 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)