The global smartphone penetration rate was estimated at 71 percent in 2024, up from 2023. This is based on an estimated 6.7 billion smartphone subscriptions worldwide and a global population of around 7.4 billion. Regional differences in smartphone penetration Throughout the world, the smartphone penetration rate in the general population varies greatly. For example, in North America and Europe, the smartphone adoption rate stands at roughly 86 and 82 percent, respectively. Whereas in Sub-Saharan Africa, the same rate only stands at 55 percent as of late 2023, showing a roughly 30 percent difference in adoption rates between the highest and lowest ranked regions. Global smartphone shipments The number of global smartphone shipments saw a drop in recent years. However, the number of shipments is expected to recover to previous levels in the upcoming years. Most recently, Samsung and Apple have been leading the share of smartphone shipments worldwide, with other competitors such as Xiaomi and Oppo are catching up. Most of the top contributors to the smartphone market are concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region, which is also the region is the one with the most smartphone sales to end users as a whole.

The smartphone penetration in Spain was forecast to remain on a similar level in 2029 as compared to 2024 with 97 percent. According to this forecast, the penetration will stay nearly the same over the forecast period. The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more information concerning the United States and Estonia.

The United States had one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in the world as of 2022, with 81.6 percent of the population using a smartphone. France recored the highest smartphone penetration rate, 82.6 percent.

Smartphone user numbers are growing The number of global smartphone users has constantly been growing ever since the first smartphones hit the market, surpassing the three billion mark for the first time in 2019. This growth trend is forecast to continue over the next few years, adding several hundred million smartphone users annually to the global user base. As the sales of new smartphones have plateaued at around 1.5 billion units annually, the growth in user numbers is supported by a growing market for used and refurbished phones. Some estimates put the global market for used phones at 39 to 52 billion U.S. dollars by the early to mid 2020s.

This statistic shows the smartphone penetration as share of the population in the United States from 2010 to 2021. In 2018, 69.6 percent of the U.S. population used a smartphone.

Smartphone penetration in the U.S. - additional information
Almost two-thirds of Americans are predicted to own a smartphone by 2017, more than a threefold increase since 2010. A smartphone is a mobile phone that uses an identifiable open Operating System (OS) and has more advanced computing capability and connectivity than a basic phone. The OS is supported by third party applications (commonly known as apps) written by the developer community.

The operating system must be able to support a multitasking environment and user interface that can handle multiple applications at the same time. Two of the most popular operating systems on the market are made by Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) who had a combined stake of over 90 percent of the smartphone market share worldwide at the end of 2016.

The popularity of the smartphone has risen immensely since Apple introduced its first iPhone in 2007, with 43.5 percent of all Americans forecast to own an iPhone by 2016. The first iPhone was notably different from other smartphones at the time because it used a large touchscreen for direct finger input, rather than the need for a stylus, keypad, or keyboard.

The first smartphone to use the Android OS was the HTC Dream released in 2008. Although numbers of people using this OS were low at first, it has since grown to be the most used operating system, with an estimated 107.7 million Americans projected to own an Android phone by 2016.

The global number of smartphone users in was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 1.8 billion users (+42.62 percent). After the fifteenth consecutive increasing year, the smartphone user base is estimated to reach 6.1 billion users and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the number of smartphone users of was continuously increasing over the past years.Smartphone users here are limited to internet users of any age using a smartphone. The shown figures have been derived from survey data that has been processed to estimate missing demographics.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the number of smartphone users in countries like the Americas and Asia.

The number of smartphone users in the United States was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 17.4 million users (+5.61 percent). After the fifteenth consecutive increasing year, the smartphone user base is estimated to reach 327.54 million users and therefore a new peak in 2029. Notably, the number of smartphone users of was continuously increasing over the past years.Smartphone users here are limited to internet users of any age using a smartphone. The shown figures have been derived from survey data that has been processed to estimate missing demographics.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the number of smartphone users in countries like Mexico and Canada.

As of 2022, the penetration rate of smartphones in China reached almost 72 percent. According to the forecast, almost 83 percent of people in China are going to use a smartphone by 2027. The total number of smartphone users in 2022 exceeded one billion.

The master key

In Chinese everyday life, there is no way around not using a smartphone. Over the past decade, the smartphone has evolved from a communication device into not only a multi-tool but also the key to accessing everyday services. From paying for groceries and the restaurant bill to booking train tickets and managing personal finances. As more and more services are only available online, life without a smartphone has become increasingly difficult.

Technology exclusion and social isolation

Because of the growing significance of the smartphone, people without access to them or those unable to use them are at risk of being excluded from vital services and social interactions. These may include the elderly population, finding it difficult to adapt to the new technology. It could also be online applications without sufficient accessibility for persons with disability, and those who cannot afford to purchase a smartphone or live in regions without a comprehensive internet connection. Therefore, as the country moves online, inclusion must be a part of the development.

The smartphone penetration in Brazil was forecast to continuously increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 19.3 percentage points. The penetration is estimated to amount to 97 percent in 2029. Notably, the smartphone penetration of was continuously increasing over the past years.The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more information concerning Singapore and Turkey.

Almost 79 percent of people in Japan owned a smartphone in 2023. The smartphone penetration rate increased significantly compared to the mid-2010s.

Apple’s triumph in Japan

Based on shipment volume, Apple holds the largest market share within the Japanese smartphone market. The first iPhone entered the Japanese market in 2008. SoftBank played a pivotal role in Apple’s triumphant journey, marked by the acquisition of exclusive rights for three years and a well-executed strategy based on competitive pricing and aggressive marketing. Consequently, the iPhone emerged as one of the earliest widely adopted smartphones in Japan. Since then, iPhones have consistently held a distinct appeal among Japanese consumers and regularly dominate the ranking of the best-selling smartphone models in Japan.

The advent of 5G networks in Japan

One of the major developments for the Japanese mobile communications market in recent years was the introduction of fifth-generation (5G) networks in 2020. While Japan's major mobile carriers commenced offering commercial 5G services from March 2020 onward, Rakuten Mobile joined as the country's fourth major carrier and started rolling out its 5G network in September 2020. The implementation of 5G technologies ushered in substantially higher speeds, an increased capacity, and a lower latency, particularly benefiting activities such as online streaming and mobile gaming. A recent survey underscored that smartphones are the primary devices for accessing the internet in Japan, further emphasizing the pivotal role of these devices in shaping the country's digital landscape.

The statistic shows the mobile phone user penetration as share of the population worldwide from 2013 to 2019. In 2013, 56.5 percent of the global population used a mobile phone.

In 2024, around seven percent of people in India purchases smartphone online and was estimated to reach 8.3 percent in 2029. In 2022, the volume of smartphone shipments across India was around 146 million. And the most popular brand at the end of 2023 was Samsung.

With a 2G network shutdown due across the country, Australian mobile owners will soon have to convert to smartphones to be able to use their mobile phones. Fortunately, smartphone penetration in the country is already high. In 2017, 81 percent of the Australian population used a smartphone and the share was estimated to reach around 87 percent by 2026. This represents just over 23.6 million smartphone users across the country. With the uprising of 5G networks, along with advancements in mobile technology, the way Australians use smartphones may change in the near future.

The changing smartphone landscape

The pace at which smartphones are transforming has been rapid. Developments in wireless technology and hardware have been propelled forward due to the requirements of today’s smartphone users. Tasks that can be accomplished with a smartphone have become more advanced and smartphones are becoming more integrated into our day-to-day lives. Among many other uses, Australians are using their smartphones for fitness and health tracking, digital payments, gaming, and social networking. Intrinsically linked to this, mobile internet user penetration will likely continue to increase.

Leading smartphone brands

Tech giant Apple was the market leader in terms of the number of smartphones sold in Australia. Smartphone sales were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to many vendors facing supply constraints and store closures around the world. Even still, Apple has remained the dominant smartphone brand, while iOS has maintained an over 50 percent market share of mobile operating systems.

The percentage of U.S. adults who own a smartphone has more than doubled since 2011. Only 35 percent of all U.S. adults owned a smartphone in 2011, compared to 90 percent of adults who owned a smartphone, as of May 2023. The share of U.S. adults owning a smartphone increased by 55 percentage points the highlighted period. 

Higher smartphone usage with males and higher-income groups    

As smartphone penetration overall has increased over time in the United States, this trend can be observed in the split by gender as well. The penetration rate is not equally high though for both male and female users, as the usage amongst males is around five percent higher than amongst females in the United States.

The smartphone penetration rate in the United States correlates appears closely related to with household income in the United States. In households with an annual income of more than 50 thousand U.S. dollars the smartphone penetration rate is 90 percent or higher, while on the other hand smartphone ownership in households with an annual income below this threshold is below 80 percent.

Apple leader in U.S. smartphone market    

Apple is the leading vendor in the United States smartphone market with almost 50 percent of U.S. mobile phone subscribers using an Apple device. Although Apple is the leading vendor in the United States, the Apple iOS operating system has a lower market share than its main competitor Google Android. As the Android operating system is used by the vast majority of smartphone vendors other than Apple, it combines the share of popular brands such as Samsung, LG, and Lenovo/Motorola.

The population share with mobile internet access in North America was forecast to increase between 2024 and 2029 by in total 2.9 percentage points. This overall increase does not happen continuously, notably not in 2028 and 2029. The mobile internet penetration is estimated to amount to 84.21 percent in 2029. Notably, the population share with mobile internet access of was continuously increasing over the past years.The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population having access to the internet via a mobile broadband connection.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).Find more key insights for the population share with mobile internet access in countries like Caribbean and Europe.

The smartphone penetration share reached about 97 percent in Singapore, indicating that it is a leading country for the use and engagement of smartphones. What are Singaporeans using their smartphones for? A recent study revealed Singaporeans spent most of their time on social and communication apps. This frequency and intensity with which Singaporeans use their smartphone opens-up infinite opportunities for companies to reach their customer. Not surprisingly, digital advertising spending made up over 40 percent of the country's total ad spend. What can be expected from Singapore in terms of digitalization? Many Asian countries are drifting towards a mobile and well-connected landscape. Governments around the world are trying to support this transformation in order to increase their economic growth. Singapore has the advantage of being a city-state with a well performing infrastructure. The primary focus will be on conceptualizing and reinventing technology-driven development to continuously expand their smart city. For instance, Singapore was the first country in the world to achieve country-wide 5G coverage.

In 2022, smartphone vendors sold around 1.39 billion smartphones were sold worldwide, with this number forecast to drop to 1.34 billion in 2023.

Smartphone penetration rate still on the rise

Less than half of the world’s total population owned a smart device in 2016, but the smartphone penetration rate has continued climbing, reaching 78.05 percent in 2020. By 2025, it is forecast that almost 87 percent of all mobile users in the United States will own a smartphone, an increase from the 27 percent of mobile users in 2010.

Smartphone end user sales

In the United States alone, sales of smartphones were projected to be worth around 73 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, an increase from 18 billion dollars in 2010. Global sales of smartphones are expected to increase from 2020 to 2021 in every major region, as the market starts to recover from the initial impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This statistic shows the number of smartphone users in the U.S. from 2009 to 2040. For 2022, the number of smartphone users in the United States is estimated to reach 307 million.

Smartphone users - additional information

Advances in telecommunication technology have been significant in recent years. These advances have led to a level of connectivity never seen before. The number of smartphone users in the US has risen steadily over the last several years and forecasts estimate that smartphone penetration in North America will also continue to rise steadily into the future. The United States is one of the leading countries in the world with respect to adoption of smartphone technology.

In America the most popular smartphone brands are Samsung and Apple, while the most popular smartphone operating systems / platforms with respect to market share are none other than Google Android and Apple’s own operating system, iOS. Other operating systems, such as Symbian, Blackberry OS, Bada and Windows have struggled to maintain a foothold in the market as iOS and Android clearly dominate the field.

The first official smartphones came onto the market in the early 1990s. Initially a smartphone was classified by its ability to offer features like e-mail capability, internet access, QUERTY keyboards, personal digital assistant functions and perhaps a built-in camera. As of today, smartphones have progressed even more and we typically classify smartphones as having a high definition touchscreen, various apps, navigation tools and high-speed internet on the go. More recently sales of smartphones have even exceeded that of traditional feature phones as smartphone usage has continued to rise.

Switzerland is leading the ranking by population share with mobile internet access , recording 95.06 percent. Following closely behind is Ukraine with 95.06 percent, while Moldova is trailing the ranking with 46.83 percent, resulting in a difference of 48.23 percentage points to the ranking leader, Switzerland. The penetration rate refers to the share of the total population having access to the internet via a mobile broadband connection.The shown data are an excerpt of Statista's Key Market Indicators (KMI). The KMI are a collection of primary and secondary indicators on the macro-economic, demographic and technological environment in up to 150 countries and regions worldwide. All indicators are sourced from international and national statistical offices, trade associations and the trade press and they are processed to generate comparable data sets (see supplementary notes under details for more information).

Among the Latin American countries included in the analysis, Chile had the highest smartphone penetration rate in 2019. That year, the percentage of Chilean population that used such device amounted to 71 percent. In second place was Argentina, with a smartphone usage penetration of 66 percent, followed by Brazil with 63 percent.

For 2020, the number of smartphone users in Thailand reached around 53.57 million. This number has been rapidly increasing since 2015. Such value is forecast to amount to almost 60 million by 2026. This was partially a result of an increase in the Thai population and internet penetration throughout the years.

The use of smartphones and the internet The use of smartphones and the internet go hand in hand. In recent years, internet penetration in Thailand had gradually and steadily increased and was predicted to rise even further in the next years. As Thais spend a lot of their time on mobile phones, a majority of Thai people use their smartphones for various online activities, ranging from entertainment to financial services. Furthermore, many e-commerce activities also occur on smartphones through the use of social media. Lazada and Shopify, which are popular e-commerce platforms, are also conveniently accessible through smartphone use in Thailand.

Social media use on smartphones The smartphone ownership in Thailand is high. Thais spend a lot of their time on social media. The most popular social media platform in Thailand is Facebook, which has showed increasing number of users throughout the years. Thai smartphone users also like watching online videos, both from Facebook and YouTube. Apart from major social media platforms, Thais also browse through sites such as Pantip and Sanook, which are popular Thai lifestyle and entertainment online communities.