Smartphone Usage Statistics 2026
This page collects current figures on who owns a smartphone and how they use it: ownership worldwide and in the US, Australia and the EU, daily app time and attitudes to screen time, how long people keep their phones, the Android and iOS split by country, and the shipment slump and price rises of 2026. Sources are international agencies (ITU, GSMA, Eurostat), national regulators and survey groups (ACMA, Pew Research Center, YouGov), market trackers (IDC, Omdia, Counterpoint Research, Sensor Tower, StatCounter, Ericsson) and company disclosures (Apple, Assurant). Most figures describe 2025 or 2026.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 8, 2026 · 50 numbers drawn from 21 publishers and reports
Short answer
82% of people aged 10 and older worldwide own a mobile phone (ITU, 2025) and 4.4 billion people, 54% of the world, use their own smartphone to go online (GSMA). In the US, 91% of adults own a smartphone and just over half say they spend too much time on it (Pew Research Center, 2026), while people worldwide average about 3.6 hours a day in apps (Sensor Tower). Phones are being kept close to four years (Counterpoint, Assurant) as a memory shortage drives prices up: IDC expects the average smartphone to cost $581 in 2026, up 27.6%, while shipments fall 16.7%.
Headline numbers
- 82%82% of people worldwide aged 10 and older owned a mobile phone in 2025, according to the ITU.International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- 4.4 billion4.4 billion people, 54% of the global population, were using their own smartphone to access mobile internet at the end of 2024, the GSMA reports.GSMA
- 91%91% of US adults owned a smartphone in 2026, up from 35% in Pew Research Center's first measurement in 2011.Pew Research Center
- 3.6 hoursConsumers spent 5.3 trillion hours in iOS and Google Play apps in 2025, roughly 3.6 hours per day per mobile user, according to Sensor Tower.Sensor Tower
- Just over halfJust over half of US adults said in mid 2026 that they spend too much time on their smartphone, while 3% said too little, Pew Research Center found.Pew Research Center
- four yearsSmartphone replacement cycles worldwide were extending to four years in 2026, a trend Counterpoint Research expects to continue through 2027 as memory costs raise prices.Counterpoint Research
- 16.7%IDC forecasts worldwide smartphone shipments will fall 16.7% in 2026 to just over 1 billion units, the steepest annual drop on record.IDC
- $581IDC expects the average smartphone selling price to reach $581 in 2026, up 27.6% in one year.IDC
Reading the numbers
Smartphone ownership is close to its ceiling in wealthy countries and still climbing elsewhere. Pew Research Center puts US adult ownership at 91% in 2026, up from 35% in 2011, and the ACMA reports that 97% of Australian adults go online by mobile phone. Globally the ITU counts 82% of people 10 and older owning some kind of mobile phone, while the GSMA estimates 54% of the world's population uses its own smartphone for mobile internet. The difference between those two figures is concentrated in low-income economies and Africa, where ownership is 53% and 66% respectively and many phones are still basic handsets.
Time on the phone keeps inching up. Sensor Tower estimates 5.3 trillion hours spent in apps in 2025, about 3.6 hours per user per day, with generative AI apps the fastest growing category. Ericsson sees the same trend in network traffic, with the average smartphone using 22 GB a month. Pew Research Center's 2026 survey shows the cost people feel: just over half of US adults say they spend too much time on their phone, 42% of adults under 30 describe their use as almost constant, and 41% say it hurts their sleep.
Upgrade habits are lengthening. Counterpoint Research says replacement cycles are moving toward four years worldwide, and Assurant's US trade-in data shows the average traded-in iPhone passed four years old in Q2 2026. YouGov's survey of likely buyers shows more people intending to upgrade quickly, but intentions in a 2025 survey were recorded before the 2026 price rises took hold.
The bigger story of 2026 is price. A memory chip shortage has sent shipments to their lowest levels in more than a decade: Omdia counts a 20% drop in Q3 2026 and IDC forecasts a 16.7% fall for the full year. Vendors are passing costs on, so Counterpoint Research recorded a record $400 average selling price in Q2 and IDC expects $581 for the year. Apple and Samsung have held up best, and iOS is heading for a record share of shipments, while Android brands focused on sub-$100 phones are cutting their cheapest models.
Smartphone and mobile phone ownership worldwide
- 1.
82% of people worldwide aged 10 and older owned a mobile phone in 2025, according to the ITU.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Globally, 82 per cent of individuals 10 years or older own a mobile phone.
- 2.
In low-income economies only 53% of people aged 10 and older owned a mobile phone in 2025, compared with more than 95% in high-income economies, the ITU reports.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
This stands in contrast with low-income economies, where only 53 per cent of the population aged 10 years and over own a mobile phone.
- 3.
66% of people in Africa owned a mobile phone in 2025 but only 36% were online, a 30 point gap, according to the ITU.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
In Africa, although 66 per cent of the population own a mobile phone, only 36 per cent are online, a difference of 30 percentage points.
- 4.
78% of women and 87% of men aged 10 and older owned a mobile phone worldwide in 2025, the ITU found.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Globally, 78 per cent of females and 87 per cent of males aged 10 and over own a mobile phone, translating into a gender parity score of 0.90 (i.e. skewed against women), which is slightly lower than the corresponding 0.92 score for Internet use.
- 5.
Women worldwide were 10% less likely than men to own a mobile phone in 2025, down from 12% in 2022, according to the ITU.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Globally, women are 10 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than men, which is down from 12 per cent in 2022.
- 6.
4.4 billion people, 54% of the global population, were using their own smartphone to access mobile internet at the end of 2024, the GSMA reports.
GSMA, The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Overview Report (Sep 2025)
Exact wording at the source
At the end of 2024, 4.4 billion people were using their own smartphone to access mobile internet, equivalent to 54% of the global population.
- 7.
About 250 million people started using a smartphone to access mobile internet during 2024, according to the GSMA.
GSMA, The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Overview Report (Sep 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Around 250 million people started using a smartphone to access mobile internet in 2024.
- 8.
16% of mobile internet subscribers worldwide still used a 3G smartphone or a feature phone in 2024, rising to 60% in Sub-Saharan Africa, the GSMA found.
GSMA, The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Overview Report (Sep 2025)
Exact wording at the source
While ownership of 4G and 5G smartphones continues to increase, 16% of mobile internet subscribers still use 3G smartphones or a feature phone to access the internet, reaching 60% in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- 9.
Apple's installed base passed 2.5 billion active devices across all its product lines in early 2026, the company reported.
Apple, Apple reports first quarter results (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
We are also excited to announce that our installed base now has more than 2.5 billion active devices, which is a testament to incredible customer satisfaction for the very best products and services in the world.
Smartphone ownership by country and age
- 10.
91% of US adults owned a smartphone in 2026, up from 35% in Pew Research Center's first measurement in 2011.
Pew Research Center, Mobile Fact Sheet (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
About nine-in-ten (91%) own a smartphone, up from just 35% in the Center’s first survey of smartphone ownership conducted in 2011.
- 11.
98% of US adults owned a cellphone of some kind in 2026, according to Pew Research Center.
Pew Research Center, Mobile Fact Sheet (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The vast majority of U.S. adults (98%) own a cellphone of some kind.
- 12.
79% of US adults aged 65 and older owned a smartphone in 2026, compared with 97% of those aged 18 to 49, Pew Research Center found.
Pew Research Center, Mobile Fact Sheet (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Ages 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+ Cellphone 100 99 97 96 Smartphone 97 97 91 79
- 13.
16% of US adults were smartphone-only internet users in 2026, owning a smartphone but not subscribing to home broadband, according to Pew Research Center.
Pew Research Center, Mobile Fact Sheet (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Today, 16% of U.S. adults are “smartphone-only” internet users, meaning they own a smartphone but do not subscribe to a home broadband service.
- 14.
97% of Australian adults went online using a mobile phone in 2025, up from 95% in 2024, the ACMA reports.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Mobile phone internet use soars as landline use keeps falling, ACMA research shows (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
More of us used mobile phones to go online more frequently with the proportion of adults accessing the internet via mobile phones rising to 97 per cent (from 95 per cent in 2024).
- 15.
92% of Australian adults used mobile internet every day in 2025, up from 90% in 2024, according to the ACMA.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Mobile phone internet use soars as landline use keeps falling, ACMA research shows (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Daily mobile internet use also increased to 92 per cent from 90 per cent in 2024.
- 16.
Only 12% of Australian adults used a landline phone in 2025, down from 54% in 2017, the ACMA found.
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Mobile phone internet use soars as landline use keeps falling, ACMA research shows (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Only 12 per cent of Australian adults used a landline phone in 2025, down from 15 per cent in 2024 and 54 per cent in 2017.
- 17.
Almost 9 in 10 internet users in the EU connected through a mobile device in 2025, compared with 56% who used a laptop, according to Eurostat.
Eurostat, Digital economy and society statistics: households and individuals (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile devices were used to connect to the internet by almost 9 out of 10 EU users in 2025.
Chart
US smartphone ownership by age, % of adults, 2026
Pew Research Center survey of US adults, January 30 to June 18, 2026.
- 18-2997%
- 30-4997%
- 50-6491%
- 65+79%
Source: Pew Research Center, Mobile Fact Sheet
Screen time and how people use their phones
- 18.
Consumers spent 5.3 trillion hours in iOS and Google Play apps in 2025, roughly 3.6 hours per day per mobile user, according to Sensor Tower.
Sensor Tower, State of Mobile 2026 (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Consumers spent 5.3 trillion hours across iOS and Google Play apps (+3.8% YoY), or roughly 3.6 hours per day per mobile user.
- 19.
Time spent in generative AI apps reached 48 billion hours in 2025, about 3.6 times the 2024 total, Sensor Tower reports.
Sensor Tower, State of Mobile 2026 (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Time spent in Generative AI apps reached 48 billion hours in 2025, roughly 3.6x the total in 2024 and nearly 10x the level seen in 2023.
- 20.
Consumers spent $167 billion on in-app purchases and paid apps and games across iOS and Google Play in 2025, up 10.6%, according to Sensor Tower.
Sensor Tower, State of Mobile 2026 (Jan 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Revenue from in-app purchases and paid apps and games reached $167 billion in 2025 across iOS and Google Play – a staggering 10.6% YoY increase.
- 21.
Just over half of US adults said in mid 2026 that they spend too much time on their smartphone, while 3% said too little, Pew Research Center found.
Pew Research Center, About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Just over half of U.S. adults say they spend too much time on their smartphone, according to a Pew Research Center survey from May and June 2026.
- 22.
45% of US adults tried to cut back on their smartphone use in the 12 months before mid 2026, according to Pew Research Center.
Pew Research Center, About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In our survey, 45% of U.S. adults say they’ve tried to cut back on their smartphone use over the past 12 months.
- 23.
42% of US adults under 30 described their smartphone use as almost constant in 2026, versus 9% of those 65 and older, Pew Research Center reports.
Pew Research Center, About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Adults under 30 are the most likely age group to describe their smartphone use as almost constant, with 42% saying this.
- 24.
41% of US adults said in 2026 that their smartphone hurts the amount of sleep they get, while 5% said it helps, according to Pew Research Center.
Pew Research Center, About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Much larger shares say their smartphones hurt than help the amount of sleep they get (41% vs. 5%).
- 25.
The average active smartphone used 22 GB of mobile data per month worldwide in 2025, and Ericsson forecasts 42 GB by 2031.
Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report: Mobile data traffic outlook (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global average 22 42 12%
- 26.
Smartphones in India, Nepal and Bhutan used 37 GB of mobile data per month on average in 2025, the highest of any region Ericsson tracks.
Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report: Mobile data traffic outlook (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
India, Nepal, Bhutan 37 70 11%
Chart
Mobile data per active smartphone by region, GB per month, 2025
Ericsson Mobility Report estimates for 2025, selected regions.
- India, Nepal, Bhutan37 GB
- Gulf Cooperation Council30 GB
- Western Europe25 GB
- North America25 GB
- North East Asia23 GB
- Global average22 GB
- Latin America15 GB
- Sub-Saharan Africa5 GB
Source: Ericsson, Ericsson Mobility Report: Mobile data traffic outlook
Upgrade cycles and how long people keep phones
- 27.
Smartphone replacement cycles worldwide were extending to four years in 2026, a trend Counterpoint Research expects to continue through 2027 as memory costs raise prices.
Counterpoint Research, Memory Crisis Pushes Global Smartphone Replacement Cycles Toward 4 Years (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Smartphone replacement cycles are extending to four years, with this trend expected to continue through 2026 and 2027 as higher memory and component costs drive up device prices.
- 28.
The average age of iPhones turned in through US trade-in and upgrade programs passed four years for the first time in Q2 2026, according to Assurant.
Assurant, Assurant Reports Mobile Trade-In Programs Return $1.43 Billion to Consumers in Q2 2026 as Smartphones Reach Four-Year Upgrade Milestone (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Average age of iPhones turned in through trade-in and upgrade programs surpassed four years for the first time
- 29.
US mobile trade-in programs returned $1.43 billion in value to consumers in Q2 2026, Assurant reports.
Assurant, Assurant Reports Mobile Trade-In Programs Return $1.43 Billion to Consumers in Q2 2026 as Smartphones Reach Four-Year Upgrade Milestone (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile trade-ins returned $1.43 billion in consumer value in Q2 2026
- 30.
25% of likely US smartphone buyers expected to keep their next phone for one to two years in 2025, up from 15% in 2023, YouGov found.
YouGov, Americans plan faster smartphone upgrades and fewer expect to buy budget models (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
25% of likely smartphone buyers expect to replace their smartphone within 1-2 years, up from 15% in 2023.
- 31.
45% of Americans said in 2025 they were very or somewhat likely to buy a new phone in the coming year, up from 36% in 2023, according to YouGov.
YouGov, Americans plan faster smartphone upgrades and fewer expect to buy budget models (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
New data from YouGov Surveys: Serviced suggests that a substantial share of Americans may enter the smartphone market in the coming year, with 45% saying they are very or somewhat likely to purchase a new handset, up from 36% in 2023.
- 32.
Only 8% of likely US buyers expected to keep their next smartphone more than five years in 2025, half the 16% of 2023, YouGov reports.
YouGov, Americans plan faster smartphone upgrades and fewer expect to buy budget models (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
At the same time, longer usage windows have declined: those anticipating 3-4 years of use have fallen from 19% to 16%, 4-5 years from 12% to 10%, and more than five years have dropped by half (16% to 8%).
Chart
How long likely US buyers expect to keep their next smartphone, 2025
YouGov Surveys: Serviced, likely US smartphone buyers, 2025.
- 1-2 years25%
- 2-3 years29%
- 3-4 years16%
- 4-5 years10%
- 5+ years8%
Source: YouGov, Americans plan faster smartphone upgrades and fewer expect to buy budget models
Operating system share: Android and iOS
- 33.
Android accounted for 72.36% of mobile operating system use worldwide in October 2026 and iOS for 27.61%, according to StatCounter.
StatCounter, Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide - October 2026 Android 72.36 % iOS 27.61 %
- 34.
iOS held 51.96% of mobile operating system use in the United States in October 2026, StatCounter reports.
StatCounter, Mobile Operating System Market Share United States Of America (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile Operating System Market Share in United States Of America - October 2026 iOS 51.96 % Android 48.02 %
- 35.
iOS edged Android in the United Kingdom in October 2026 at 50.14% of mobile operating system use, according to StatCounter.
StatCounter, Mobile Operating System Market Share United Kingdom (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile Operating System Market Share in United Kingdom - October 2026 iOS 50.14 % Android 49.85 %
- 36.
Android held 94.84% of mobile operating system use in India in October 2026, with iOS at 5.1%, StatCounter found.
StatCounter, Mobile Operating System Market Share India (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile Operating System Market Share in India - October 2026 Android 94.84 % iOS 5.1 %
- 37.
iOS led mobile operating system use in Japan in October 2026 at 53.8%, according to StatCounter.
StatCounter, Mobile Operating System Market Share Japan (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mobile Operating System Market Share in Japan - October 2026 iOS 53.8 % Android 46.18 %
- 38.
IDC forecasts iOS will reach a record 23.6% share of global smartphone shipments in 2026, with iPhone shipments down just 1.3%.
IDC, Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
iOS share moves in the opposite direction, increasing almost four percentage points from last year to a record-high 23.6% share, as shipments remain relatively resilient, down just 1.3% YoY in 2026.
- 39.
IDC expects Huawei's HarmonyOS to nearly triple to 51 million smartphone shipments in 2026.
IDC, Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
HarmonyOS sees strong growth off a small base, nearly tripling to 51 million units in 2026 as Huawei maintains a disciplined pricing strategy
Shipments and smartphone prices
- 40.
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year on year to 254.7 million units in Q3 2026, the lowest third quarter since 2013, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in 3Q26, the lowest third-quarter total since 2013 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global smartphone shipments fell 20% year-on-year (YoY) to 254.7 million units in 3Q26, according to Omdia, marking the lowest third-quarter shipment volume since 2013.
- 41.
Samsung shipped 57.8 million smartphones in Q3 2026, down 5%, keeping first place worldwide, Omdia reports.
Omdia, Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in 3Q26, the lowest third-quarter total since 2013 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Samsung retained its position as the world's largest smartphone vendor, shipping 57.8 million units, down 5% YoY.
- 42.
Apple shipped 56.5 million iPhones in Q3 2026, flat year on year despite the market decline, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in 3Q26, the lowest third-quarter total since 2013 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Apple shipped 56.5 million iPhones in 3Q26, remaining flat YoY despite the global market downturn.
- 43.
Smartphone shipments to Africa fell 39% year on year in Q3 2026, the steepest regional decline, Omdia found.
Omdia, Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in 3Q26, the lowest third-quarter total since 2013 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Africa recorded the steepest contraction at 39% YoY, as rising costs shifted vendors' focus from aggressive expansion and market share gains toward margin protection and selective shipments, despite underlying demand.
- 44.
IDC forecasts worldwide smartphone shipments will fall 16.7% in 2026 to just over 1 billion units, the steepest annual drop on record.
IDC, Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker , worldwide smartphone shipments will fall 16.7% in 2026 to just over 1 billion units.
- 45.
IDC expects the average smartphone selling price to reach $581 in 2026, up 27.6% in one year.
IDC, Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The average selling price of a smartphone will reach $581 in 2026, up 27.6% in a single year and revised upward from the $550 projected last quarter.
- 46.
173 million smartphones priced below $100 shipped worldwide in 2025, a segment IDC says now faces an existential crisis.
IDC, Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The 173 million smartphones below $100, which shipped last year, are facing an existential crisis.
- 47.
The average smartphone selling price rose 17% year on year to a second quarter record of $400 in Q2 2026, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, Global Smartphone Revenue Up 7% in Q2 2026 Despite Shipment Slump; Apple Hits Revenue Share Peak (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The disconnect between revenue and volume was driven by higher average selling prices (ASPs), which grew 17% YoY to a second quarter record of $400, underpinned by sustained consumer shift towards the premium segment.
- 48.
Global smartphone revenue grew 7% to a record $109 billion in Q2 2026 even as shipments fell, Counterpoint Research reports.
Counterpoint Research, Global Smartphone Revenue Up 7% in Q2 2026 Despite Shipment Slump; Apple Hits Revenue Share Peak (Jul 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global smartphone revenue grew 7% YoY in Q2 2026 to a record high of $109 billion, marking the highest-ever second-quarter revenue despite a decline in shipments, according to Counterpoint Research's latest Market Monitor Service.
- 49.
Samsung took back first place in global smartphone shipments in Q2 2026 with a 23% share, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, Global Smartphone Market Share: Quarterly (Aug 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Samsung reclaimed the global leadership position with a 23% market share and growing 9% YoY, as pricing and competitive dynamics in certain regions worked in its favor.
- 50.
In 2025, 22% of likely US smartphone buyers expected to spend under $300 on their next phone, down from 33% in 2023, YouGov found.
YouGov, Americans plan faster smartphone upgrades and fewer expect to buy budget models (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Likely buyers expecting to spend under $300 fell from 33% in 2023 to 22% in 2025.
Chart
Global smartphone shipment share by vendor, Q2 2026
Counterpoint Research Market Monitor, global shipments, Q2 2026.
- Samsung23%
- Apple21%
- Xiaomi11%
- vivo8%
- OPPO8%
- Others27%
Source: Counterpoint Research, Global Smartphone Market Share: Quarterly
Questions readers ask
- What percentage of people own a smartphone?
- The GSMA estimates 4.4 billion people, 54% of the world's population, used their own smartphone to access mobile internet at the end of 2024. Counting all mobile phones, the ITU says 82% of people aged 10 and older owned one in 2025. In the US, Pew Research Center finds 91% of adults own a smartphone.
- How much time do people spend on their phones each day?
- Sensor Tower estimates mobile users averaged about 3.6 hours a day in iOS and Google Play apps in 2025, a total of 5.3 trillion hours. Pew Research Center found just over half of US adults say they spend too much time on their smartphone, and 42% of adults under 30 say they are on it almost constantly.
- How often do people replace their smartphones?
- Counterpoint Research says global replacement cycles are extending toward four years. Assurant reports the average iPhone traded in through US programs passed four years old for the first time in Q2 2026.
- Is Android or iOS more popular?
- Android leads worldwide with 72.36% of mobile operating system use in October 2026 according to StatCounter. iOS leads in the US at 51.96%, the UK at 50.14% and Japan at 53.8%, while Android holds 94.84% in India.
- Why are smartphones getting more expensive in 2026?
- A shortage of memory chips has raised component costs, and vendors are passing them on. IDC expects the average selling price to reach $581 in 2026, up 27.6%, and Counterpoint Research recorded a record Q2 average of $400. IDC forecasts shipments will fall 16.7% for the year.
Where these numbers come from
We used primary sources only: international agencies (ITU, GSMA, Eurostat), a national regulator (ACMA), survey publishers (Pew Research Center, YouGov), market trackers (IDC, Omdia, Counterpoint Research, Sensor Tower, StatCounter, Ericsson) and company releases (Apple, Assurant). Definitions differ. The ITU counts any mobile phone among people 10 and older, the GSMA counts people using their own smartphone for mobile internet, and Pew surveys US adults 18 and older. StatCounter shares are based on web page views, not devices in use or sales, so they are not the same as IDC or Counterpoint shipment shares. IDC, Omdia and Counterpoint use different tracking methods and their quarterly totals and price measures do not match exactly; forecasts for full-year 2026 may be revised. Sensor Tower's time figures are modeled estimates for iOS and Google Play apps only. Every quote was checked against the source page on the date shown. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.
Sources
- Apple. Apple reports first quarter results (Jan 2026).
- Assurant. Assurant Reports Mobile Trade-In Programs Return $1.43 Billion to Consumers in Q2 2026 as Smartphones Reach Four-Year Upgrade Milestone (Aug 2026).
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Mobile phone internet use soars as landline use keeps falling, ACMA research shows (Feb 2026).
- Counterpoint Research. Memory Crisis Pushes Global Smartphone Replacement Cycles Toward 4 Years (Aug 2026).
- Counterpoint Research. Global Smartphone Revenue Up 7% in Q2 2026 Despite Shipment Slump; Apple Hits Revenue Share Peak (Jul 2026).
- Counterpoint Research. Global Smartphone Market Share: Quarterly (Aug 2026).
- Ericsson. Ericsson Mobility Report: Mobile data traffic outlook (Jun 2026).
- Eurostat. Digital economy and society statistics: households and individuals (Oct 2026).
- GSMA. The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2025: Overview Report (Sep 2025).
- IDC. Smartphone Shipments Set for Record 16.7% Drop in 2026, as the Memory Crisis Hits Full Force (Aug 2026).
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Facts and Figures 2025: Mobile phone ownership (Oct 2025).
- Omdia. Global smartphone shipments fell 20% in 3Q26, the lowest third-quarter total since 2013 (Oct 2026).
- Pew Research Center. Mobile Fact Sheet (Jul 2026).
- Pew Research Center. About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone (Sep 2026).
- Sensor Tower. State of Mobile 2026 (Jan 2026).
- StatCounter. Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide (Nov 2026).
- StatCounter. Mobile Operating System Market Share United States Of America (Nov 2026).
- StatCounter. Mobile Operating System Market Share United Kingdom (Nov 2026).
- StatCounter. Mobile Operating System Market Share India (Nov 2026).
- StatCounter. Mobile Operating System Market Share Japan (Nov 2026).
- YouGov. Americans plan faster smartphone upgrades and fewer expect to buy budget models (Dec 2025).
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