In 2025, there are approximately 5.78 billion smartphone users worldwide, representing 70.1% of the global population. The total number of smartphones in use is even higher at 7.21 billion devices, as many users own multiple phones.
Smartphone adoption has grown dramatically from just 3.67 billion users in 2016. This growth is driven by increasing affordability, expanding network infrastructure, and the essential role smartphones play in daily life.
| Year | Smartphone Users Worldwide |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3.67 billion |
| 2017 | 4.01 billion |
| 2018 | 4.32 billion |
| 2019 | 4.68 billion |
| 2020 | 4.98 billion |
| 2021 | 5.22 billion |
| 2022 | 5.46 billion |
| 2023 | 5.61 billion |
| 2024 | 5.69 billion |
| 2025 | 5.78 billion |
Discover fascinating trivia and lesser-known facts about smartphones and how they've transformed our daily lives.
Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone on January 9, 2007, revolutionizing the smartphone industry and establishing the modern touchscreen smartphone era.
The average smartphone user unlocks their phone 96 times per day, roughly once every 10 minutes during waking hours.
Smartphone users touch their phone screens an average of 2,617 times per day in the United States, with heavy users exceeding 5,000 touches.
Nearly 72% of teenagers check their phone messages and notifications immediately after waking up, even before getting out of bed.
Mobile commerce accounts for 73% of all e-commerce sales globally, with smartphone purchases totaling $2.2 trillion in 2024.
By 2026, over 500 million smartphones will feature on-device generative AI capabilities, transforming how we interact with our devices.
Over 1.4 trillion photos are taken on smartphones annually, with 92.5% of all photos worldwide now captured on mobile devices.
For 58% of global internet users, smartphones are the primary device for accessing the internet, surpassing desktops and tablets combined.
90% of smartphone users experience "low battery anxiety" when their phone drops below 20%, with many charging multiple times daily.
Key milestones in smartphone history
IBM Simon, the first smartphone, is introduced
BlackBerry 850 launches, pioneering mobile email
First smartphone with camera (Sony Ericsson P800)
Apple launches the first iPhone, revolutionizing the industry
Android OS launches with HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1)
Global smartphone users reach 500 million
Smartphones outsell feature phones for first time
Smartphone users surpass 2 billion worldwide
First dual-camera smartphone systems emerge
First 5G smartphones launch commercially
Pandemic drives record smartphone usage
AI integration becomes standard in flagship phones
Smartphone users reach 5.78 billion globally
China leads with nearly 975 million users, followed by India with 659 million.
While China has the most users, the United States leads in penetration rate at 81.6%. Countries like India and Nigeria represent massive growth opportunities with lower current penetration rates.
| Rank | Country | Smartphone Users | Total Population | Smartphone Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇳China | 974.69 million | 1.43 billion | 68.4% |
| 2 | 🇮🇳India | 659.00 million | 1.42 billion | 46.5% |
| 3 | 🇺🇸United States | 276.14 million | 0.34 billion | 81.6% |
| 4 | 🇮🇩Indonesia | 187.70 million | 0.28 billion | 68.1% |
| 5 | 🇧🇷Brazil | 143.43 million | 0.22 billion | 66.6% |
| 6 | 🇷🇺Russia | 106.44 million | 0.14 billion | 73.6% |
| 7 | 🇯🇵Japan | 97.44 million | 0.12 billion | 78.6% |
| 8 | 🇳🇬Nigeria | 83.34 million | 0.22 billion | 38.1% |
| 9 | 🇲🇽Mexico | 78.37 million | 0.13 billion | 61.5% |
| 10 | 🇵🇰Pakistan | 72.99 million | 0.24 billion | 31% |
The United States has 276 million smartphone users, with an ownership rate of 82.2%. Younger Americans have near-universal adoption, while a notable digital divide persists between urban and rural areas.
Android dominates the global smartphone market with 71.77% share, while iOS holds 27.77%. However, this balance shifts dramatically by region and in the premium smartphone segment.
Samsung and Apple dominate the global smartphone market with nearly identical market shares. Chinese manufacturers Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo follow with significant market presence.
The average smartphone user spends 4.5 hours per day on their device, with nearly half of users spending 5-6 hours daily. Social media dominates screen time, accounting for 38% of all usage.
All statistics on this page are compiled from reputable industry sources and regularly updated to ensure accuracy.