Cell Phone Statistics 2026

Phone ownership trends

Since 2015, cellphone ownership has increased 20%. Over 98% of Americans owned a cellphone in 2024, compared with 81% in 2015.

Today, more than nine out of 10 of all cellphone owners have a smartphone.

Future trends project the number of American smartphone users will increase to more than 364 million by 2040.

Smartphone shipments in 2023 reached 1 billion devices worldwide. Global shipments have increased 8% year over year, reaching 289 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2024.

Apple is the leading smartphone brand in the U.S., representing more than half of the market share.

Mobile phone ownership by age and gender

98% of Americans (331 million people) own a mobile phone.

Those aged 65 and older are the least likely to have any type of phone. However, in 2023, the vast majority of seniors own cellphones (94%) or smartphones (76%). In contrast, children, on average, get their first phones at 11.6 years old. By age 15, almost all children have a cellphone. Of those, 97% of female teens and 94% of male teens own a cellphone.

Among other age groups, smartphone usage remains consistently high. An impressive 95% of Americans aged 18 to 29 and 30 to 49 rely on smartphones. Usage sees a modest drop to 92% among individuals aged 50 to 64.

Mobile phones and teens

• As of 2024, 95% of teens ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report having access to a smartphone, an increase of 22% from a decade ago.
• Ninety-seven percent of older teens (ages 15 to 17) are more likely to own a smartphone than their younger counterparts, while 97% of girls are slightly more likely to own smartphones than boys (93%).
• Black teens have the most access to smartphones, 3% more than white and Hispanic teenagers.

Teen smartphone access by demographics, 2024 

Unlike with gaming consoles, tablets and other electronic devices, there is not a strong relationship between income and smartphone access. Teens in households with incomes between $30,000 and $74,999 are less likely to have access to a smartphone (92%) than teens in households with a lower (94%) or higher (96%) income range.

Teen smartphone access by income, 2024

Ninety-one percent of teens use their cellphones simply as a way to pass the time. Also, more than 8 in 10 teens report that they use their phones to connect with other people or learn new things. Alternatively, some teens use their devices to avoid social interaction.

Phones vs. other electronic devices

On average, American households have nearly six internet-connected devices. Generation Z is more “connected” than their older counterparts, using seven devices in the home, on average.

• Among smartphone owners in the U.S., 15% of people reside in “smartphone-only” households. Just 8% of households own four types of connected devices: a smartphone, laptop, tablet and smartwatch.
• Many (42%) of American households own two connected devices: a smartphone and either a laptop, tablet or smartwatch/wearable.
• Though 91% of Americans have access to the internet (via home broadband or a smartphone), the rising cost of broadband service is a concern for many. As a result, at home, 15% of adult Americans are dependent on their smartphone for internet access.

A shocking number of people (12%) upgrade their phones every year, and 4.28% purchase a new phone every six months.

• Most cellphone users (55%) upgrade their phones every two to three years.

Mobile phone usage and habits

Caught in an endless cycle of notifications and pings, Americans are feeling tied to their phones now more than ever.

• As of 2024, on average, cellphone users look at their phones 205 times a day.
• Per day, Americans spend an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes on their phones; up 52% from 2022, when the daily average was 2 hours and 54 minutes. In 2025, this number is expected to increase to 4 hours and 39 minutes.
• The most common phone activities are checking email, taking photos and surfing the internet.

Smartphone dependency by age

Many Americans would consider themselves to be completely dependent on their smartphones for internet access. However, this varies across different age groups. In the U.S., the most smartphone-dependent age group includes those ages 18 to 29, 21% of which consider themselves dependent on their phones for the internet. Fourteen percent of those aged 50 to 64 depend on their smartphone, and the least dependent group is Americans aged 30 to 49, with only 11% dependent on their smartphone for online access.

Many Americans consider themselves completely dependent on their smartphones for internet access. However, this dependency varies across different age groups. In the U.S., as of 2024, the most smartphone-dependent age group includes those ages 18 to 29, with 21% reporting that they rely solely on their smartphones for online access. Following this group are individuals ages 65 and older, of whom 17% are smartphone-dependent. Next are Americans aged 50 to 64, with 14% reporting dependence. The least dependent group includes those ages 30 to 49, with only 11% being dependent on their smartphone for internet access.

Mobile shopping

By 2027, mobile phone sales (known as m-commerce) are forecasted to amount to approximately $856 billion. By comparison, m-commerce sales topped $360 billion in 2021.

• Over half (63%) of internet traffic comes from mobile phones.
• In North America, 58% of internet traffic is from mobile sources.
• Three in four Americans (76%) have purchased something online using mobile phones. Those under age 50 are most likely to buy online (92%). Unsurprisingly, in 2022 the Amazon shopping app was the top downloaded marketplace app in the U.S.
• At least once a week, about one-third (32%) of the U.S. population uses their phone to buy something online.
• Mobile retail sales hit approximately $387 billion in 2022.
• M-commerce is most common among U.S. users ages 30 to 49 at 92%, compared with 87% of users ages 18 to 29.

By 2027, mobile phone sales (known as m-commerce) are forecasted to amount to approximately $856 billion.

• Over half (63%) of global internet traffic comes from mobile phones.
• In North America, 58% of internet traffic is from mobile sources.
• Three in four Americans (76%) have purchased something online using mobile phones.
• Those under age 50 are most likely to buy online (92%).
• In 2022, the Amazon shopping app was the top-downloaded marketplace app in the U.S.
• About one-third (32%) of the U.S. population uses their phone to buy something online at least once per week.
• Mobile retail sales hit approximately $387 billion in 2022.
• M-commerce is most common among U.S. users ages 30 to 49 at 92%, compared with 87% of users ages 18 to 29.