Smartphone Statistics 2026: Market Share, Usage & Growth

Smartphones remain central to how people live, work, and communicate. Global smartphone shipments continued to grow even amid supply‑chain pressures and economic shifts, driven by stronger demand for premium models and continued 5G expansion. Across the world, users are spending more time on their devices, fueling trends from mobile commerce to social media engagement. This article dives into the most important smartphone statistics, showing the state of the industry and where it’s heading.

Editor’s Choice

• Global smartphone shipments grew 2% in 2025, signaling continued market resilience.
• Apple grabbed the leading global market share at 20% in 2025, surpassing Samsung in annual shipments.
• Android remains dominant worldwide, holding roughly 71–75% market share of mobile OS in 2025–2026.
• iOS accounts for around 25–28% of the global smartphone OS share.
• The global smartphone market size is projected at $609–656 billion in 2025–2026.
• Emerging markets like India surpassed 659 million smartphone users by late 2025.
• IDC forecasts modest shipment growth, despite potential supply constraints in 2026.

Recent Developments

• Global smartphone shipments grew 2% year‑on‑year in 2025, reflecting sustained demand.
• Apple led the global market with 20% share in 2025, overtaking Samsung for the first time in years.
• Samsung remained a close second with 19% share in 2025.
• Xiaomi captured 13% of the market, holding third place globally.
• In Q4 2025, global shipments rose 2.3% to 336.3 million units during the holiday period.
• Emerging brands like Nothing and Google saw accelerated growth, 25–31% YoY in 2025.
• Supply‑chain issues such as memory chip shortages may slow growth in 2026, according to industry forecasts.
• Premium devices like Apple’s iPhone 17 series outperformed predecessors, contributing to Apple’s shipment lead.

Global Smartphone Users Growth (2014–2028)

• The number of smartphone users worldwide increased from 1.03 billion in 2014 to 3.77 billion in 2023, reflecting rapid global digital adoption.
• Global smartphone usage is projected to reach 4.25 billion in 2024, marking a major milestone in mobile connectivity.
• By 2028, the worldwide smartphone user base is forecast to hit 5.83 billion users, more than 5× growth compared to 2014 levels.
• The period between 2019 and 2021 saw accelerated adoption, with users rising from 2.16 billion to 2.95 billion, driven by mobile-first services and remote connectivity needs.
• Annual growth remains strong post-2023, with an expected increase of nearly 2.1 billion new users added between 2023 and 2028.
• Smartphone penetration crossed the 5 billion user mark in 2026, signaling near-ubiquitous global mobile access.
• Emerging markets continue to play a critical role in expansion, supporting steady growth from 4.69 billion users in 2025 to 5.49 billion in 2027.
• Overall, the data highlights smartphones as the primary global computing platform, underpinning growth in mobile internet, digital payments, social media, and app-based services.

Smartphone Market Size

• The global smartphone market size was estimated at $609 billion in 2025.
• In 2026, the industry is projected to reach roughly $656 billion.
• Some forecasts project the market could approach $720–740 billion by 2030.
• Based on longer‑term forecasts, industry revenue may exceed $1 trillion by mid‑2030s.
• Smartphone revenue growth is driven by premium segment expansion and 5G adoption.
• Market size growth reflects steady demand for upgrades and new technology features.
• North America and the Asia Pacific remain the largest regional markets by revenue share.
• Mid‑range and high‑end devices contribute a significant share of smartphone industry revenue.

Smartphone Shipments

• Global smartphone shipments increased 1.9–2.3% in 2025.
• Full‑year shipments reached approximately 1.25–1.26 billion units in 2025.
• Quarterly growth continued in Q3 2025 with 2.6% year‑over‑year gains.
• Apple shipped roughly 80–81 million units in Q4 2025, leading the quarter.
• Samsung shipped 61 million units in Q4 2025 with its Galaxy lineup.
• Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo contributed from mid‑range segment shipments.
• Shipment trends reflect holiday seasonal demand and inventory channel adjustments.
• Supply issues like chip shortages could temper shipment growth in 2026.

Market Share by Vendor

• Apple led the global smartphone market in 2025 (20% share).
• Samsung secured the second spot with 19% market share.
• Xiaomi ranked third worldwide with 13% share.
• Vivo and Oppo held 8% share each in 2025, remaining among the top five vendors.
• Other brands combined accounted for roughly 32% of the global market in 2025.
• Vendor share shifts reflect both premium and budget segment dynamics in diverse regions.
• Variations in regional demand influence vendor performance quarter by quarter.
• Forecasts suggest established brands will remain competitive amid evolving tech trends.

Growth Projections

• Global smartphone users are projected to surpass 5.12 billion in 2026, up from 4.69 billion in 2025.
• This growth reflects an addition of ≈440 million new users year‑over‑year.
• Smartphone penetration is rising steadily across regions as network access expands.
• By 2030, smartphone subscriptions are expected to continue climbing with broader 5G reach driving adoption.
• Emerging markets in Asia and Africa are forecasted to lead growth due to increasing affordability and connectivity.
• The global mobile ecosystem will contribute more than 5.8% of global GDP by 2025, underlining economic impact.
• Innovations in AI and mobile services are expected to further stimulate smartphone adoption through tailored experiences.
• Continued expansion in mobile banking, commerce, and IoT integration will elevate smartphone relevance in daily life.

Android vs iOS Share

• Android dominates global smartphone OS share, holding 72–75% in 2025‑2026.
• iOS accounts for roughly 25–28% of the global operating system market in 2026.
• Global split has remained relatively stable, emphasizing Android’s broad device reach.
• In the United States, iOS leads with 59% share, while Android holds about 40%.
• Android’s share is especially high in India (95%) and China (77%), while iOS excels in premium markets like the US.
• iPhone users tend to show higher brand loyalty (90%) compared to Android users (70–80%).
• Android’s open‑source model supports a wide range of price tiers, contributing to its global breadth.
• iOS’s strong ecosystem integration sustains its lead in mature markets, reinforcing developer focus on Apple devices.

Daily Smartphone Screen Time in the United States

• The most common daily usage band is 5 to 6 hours, reported by 48% of respondents, nearly 1 in 2 people.
• The second-largest group spends 3 to 4 hours per day on smartphones (22%), indicating a sizable “moderate-to-heavy” user segment.
• 18% say they spend more than 6 hours daily, almost 1 in 5 users in a very high screen-time bracket.
• Lighter usage is far less common: only 7% report 1 to 2 hours per day.
• The smallest group spends less than 1 hour daily (5%), showing that minimal smartphone use is rare.
• Overall, heavy usage dominates: 88% of respondents spend 3+ hours per day (22% + 48% + 18%).
• Extreme screen-time is significant: a combined 66% spend 5+ hours daily (48% + 18%), suggesting smartphones are a major daily habit for most users.

Daily Screen Time

• In the US, 48% of users spend 5‑6 hours daily on smartphones.
• 18% use their smartphones more than 6 hours daily.
• Only 5% of American phone owners spend less than 1 hour on their device each day.
• Daily screen time contributes to 70% of total digital media engagement in the US.
• Games account for 94% of smartphone media consumption time.
• Social media engages 92% of smartphone users, forming the bulk of screen time.
• Entertainment video streaming takes up ≈83% of users’ phone time.
• Daily interactions indicate very high engagement tied to notifications and messaging.

US Smartphone Ownership

• 91% of US adults own a smartphone as of late 2025.
• Nearly 98% of Americans own some type of cellphone, with smartphones dominating ownership.
• The US now hosts ≈317 million smartphone users, reflecting near‑saturation adoption.
• Suburban residents display slightly higher ownership rates than rural counterparts.
• Ownership is high across genders, with minimal gaps reported.
• Young adults (18–29) show ≈97% smartphone ownership in the US.
• Older adults (65+) also show strong adoption, with ≈78% owning smartphones.
• Smartphone access in the US continues to expand despite nearing market saturation.

Smartphone Usage by Country

• China leads globally with 974.69 million smartphone users and 68.4% penetration.​
• India ranks second with 659 million smartphone users at 46.5% penetration.​
• The United States boasts 81.6% smartphone penetration among 276.14 million users.​
• The United Arab Emirates achieves 195% mobile connections, exceeding the population.​
• South Korea records 134% mobile connections with 99.7% broadband access.​
• Brazil has 217 million mobile connections, equating to 102% of the population.​
• Nigeria’s penetration stands at 38.1% with 83.34 million smartphone users.​
• South African users average 9 hours 24 minutes daily screen time on devices.​The
• The Philippines averages 5 hours 21 minutes of mobile screen time daily.​

Smartphone Penetration Rates

• Globally, smartphone penetration continues to climb, with billions of users connected worldwide.
• High‑income economies report smartphone ownership at over 95% among adults.
• Middle‑income regions show growing adoption, often between 70% and 90% of populations.
• In low‑income countries, smartphone access is lower but rising rapidly.
• Penetration rates closely mirror overall mobile internet use patterns.
• Differences in penetration can influence digital services uptake such as mobile banking and commerce.
• Smartphone penetration growth correlates with broader economic and infrastructure development.
• Demographic and geographic factors continue to shape ownership and usage trends.

Ownership by Age Group

• Among US adults aged 18–29, 97% own smartphones, marking near-universal adoption.
• Adults aged 30–49 show 96% smartphone ownership rates.
• 90% of US adults aged 50–64 own smartphones.
• 78% of adults aged 65+ in the US possess smartphones.
• Gen Z boasts 98% smartphone ownership worldwide.​
• 95% of US teens aged 13–17 have access to smartphones.​
• Millennials lead with 94% smartphone usage in the US.​
• In emerging markets, younger cohorts aged 18–29 drive 96% ownership.​
• Older adults 65+ adoption rose to 76% in recent US surveys.

Ownership by Gender

• Smartphone ownership is nearly balanced: 92% of men and 91% of women own smartphones.
• In many markets, the gender gap in phone ownership has narrowed in recent years.
• Global mobile ownership shows women are 10% less likely to own a mobile device compared to men, a gap shrinking over time.
• Research suggests smartphone adoption among women increased substantially between 2018 and 2023, narrowing prior disparities.
• Gender gaps often correlate with income and education levels, especially in developing regions.
• In some rural contexts, male ownership rates exceed female ownership by roughly 4–5 percentage points.
• Smartphone access parity is a key focus for digital inclusion efforts globally.
• Continued improvements are expected as device affordability and connectivity expand worldwide.

5G Smartphone Adoption

• 5G smartphones accounted for 71% of global shipments in H1 2025, leading overall device upgrades.​
• Global 5G subscriptions reached 2.9 billion by the end of 2025, or one-third of all mobile subscriptions.
• 5G networks carried 43% of mobile data traffic by the end of 2025, up from 34% in 2024.
• In India, 89% of smartphone shipments were 5G in Q3 2025, surging 16% year-on-year.​
• North America led with 95% 5G penetration among the population in Q3 2025, at 363 million connections.​
• Affordable 5G phones under ₹10,000 in India grew over 1600% year-on-year in Q3 2025.​
• India hit 394 million 5G subscribers by the end of 2025, or 32% of total mobile subscriptions.​
• Global smartphone shipments grew 2% year-on-year in 2025, boosted by 5G demand.

Mobile Data Traffic Statistics (2018–2028)

• Global mobile data usage per smartphone has surged from 2.52 GB per month in 2018 to a projected 40.05 GB per month by 2028, highlighting explosive long-term growth.
• Between 2020 and 2023, average monthly mobile data consumption more than doubled, rising from 6.57 GB to 14.99 GB, driven by remote work, video streaming, and social media usage.
• In 2024, mobile data traffic reached 19.08 GB per smartphone per month, reflecting growing adoption of 5G networks and data-intensive apps.
• Mobile data usage is forecast to cross 23 GB per month in 2025 and 28.12 GB in 2026, signaling continued acceleration in mobile-first digital behavior.
• By 2027, average monthly mobile data consumption is expected to hit 33.77 GB, as short-form video, cloud gaming, and AI-powered apps gain traction.
• The 2028 forecast of 40.05 GB per month represents nearly a 16× increase compared to 2018, underlining the massive rise in smartphone dependency worldwide.
• Overall, the data shows a consistent year-over-year growth trend, confirming that mobile data traffic will remain a critical driver of telecom revenue, infrastructure investment, and digital service expansion.

Top Smartphone Brands

• Apple led global smartphone shipments in 2025 with an estimated 247 million units, achieving record volumes.
• Samsung secured 2nd place with 7% YoY growth, rebounding strongly in mass-market segments.​
• Xiaomi held 13% market share, maintaining steady performance in emerging markets.​
• Global smartphone shipments reached 1.25 billion units in 2025, up 2% YoY.​
• Vivo overtook Oppo for the 4th spot globally, growing 3-4% with strong India demand.​
• Transition captured 9% share in Q3 2025, expanding rapidly in Africa.​
• Oppo shipped around 105 million units for the top 5 position amid China’s competition.​
• iPhone 16 ranked as the #1 best-selling smartphone worldwide in 2025.​
• Apple’s shipments grew 6.1% YoY to lead the premium segment.​

Average Smartphone Prices

• The global average selling price (ASP) of smartphones is projected at $370 in 2025.
• In emerging markets like India, the ASP remains below $250 in 2025.
• Premium models in the US can exceed $800–$1,000+, especially flagship devices.
• Budget 5G models in 2026 can start well below $150–$300 in some regions.
• ASP growth is supported by consumer shift to mid‑range and premium devices.
• Increased component costs and global supply constraints may pressure prices in 2026.
• ASP varies significantly by region, brand, and feature set.
• Total cost of ownership includes network plans and accessory add‑ons.

Future Smartphone Forecasts

• The global smartphone market is forecast to grow from $609 billion in 2025 to nearly $1.19 trillion by 2035, at a CAGR of 7–8%.
• Shipments are expected to grow modestly in 2026, though some markets may see flat or slight declines due to parts cost pressures.
• The proliferation of 5G and later network generations will continue to motivate upgrades.
• Greater integration of AI and AR features is anticipated in future smartphone models.
• Foldable and flexible displays may claim a higher market share as production costs fall.
• Secondary markets and refurbished device channels will support growth in ownership.
• Smartphone ecosystems will expand with wearables and IoT interoperability.
• Sustainability and repairability may factor into consumer choice over the next decade.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Smartphones have firmly entrenched themselves as essential tools in daily life across age groups, genders, and regions. As 5G adoption accelerates and the global market shifts toward both premium and accessible device tiers, ownership patterns continue to reflect broader social and economic trends. From near‑universal use among younger adults to narrowing gender gaps and rising average prices, the smartphone landscape showcases both maturity and ongoing transformation.

Looking ahead, innovations in connectivity, AI features, and flexible form factors promise to shape the next chapter of mobile technology for consumers worldwide.