Who You Gonna Call? Check Out the Latest Mobile Phone Usage Statistics

Bojan Jovanovic

Updated: June 12, 2023

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Do you remember how old you were when you got your first cell phone? If you were born in the 80s, you probably got your first cell phone in your late teens or early 20s. 

The mobile phone market has undergone a dramatic transformation. Even your preschooler cousin has a shiny new iPhone, and your grandmother probably posts photos of pumpkin pies on Instagram.

Amid significant market shifts and emerging trends, it is essential to know what the mobile phone ecosystem looks like. Therefore, we compiled a list of the most interesting mobile phone usage statistics everyone needs to know.

Key Mobile Usage Statistics for 2023

• There are 7.33 billion mobile phone users worldwide as of 2023.
• By 2023, there will be 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide.
• As of 2023, almost 60% of all internet traffic is mobile.
• Americans, on average, will check their phone once every ten to 12 minutes.
• On average, American touches their phone 2,617 times per day.
• 70.93% of all mobile phones run on Android as of March 2023.
• As of 2023, over 81.6% of Americans use smartphones.
• 86.29% of the global population uses smartphones as of 2023.
• 91.40% of the worldwide population have mobile phones as of 2023.
• 99% of Gen Zers own or use smartphones as of 2023.

Statistics on Smartphone Usage for 2023

Mobile phones are indispensable now more than ever, as almost every teenager and adult has at least one mobile phone. This shows the high penetration rate of mobile phones worldwide. 

Below are the latest statistics on mobile phone usage for 2023.

1.There are 7.33 billion mobile phone users worldwide as of 2023.

(Bank My Cell)

The number of mobile phone users gradually rises yearly. According to the latest statistics, 7.33 billion people own a cell phone or a smartphone. That means 91.40% of the world’s population is connected via mobile networks.

2. 6.92 billion people own a smartphone as of 2023.

(Bank My Cell)

The number of smartphone users is also on the rise. These devices, which fit in your pocket, are replacing personal computers and laptops by offering some of the same internet and multimedia capabilities. According to the 2023 mobile statistics, smartphones accounted for 86.29% of all mobile users worldwide.

3. There are currently more mobile subscriptions than people on Earth.

(World Economic Forum)

For some, owning just one mobile device isn’t enough. Statista’s reports show there are now more mobile subscriptions than people living on Earth. 

More than 8.58 billion mobile subscriptions were in use worldwide in 2022, compared to a global population of over 8 billion. The market for mobile phones is at its height and shows no signs of slowing down.

4. Estimates put the number of mobile users by 2023 at 7.41 billion.

(Statista)

We are still at the point where every person on the planet uses a mobile phone. But that’s not exactly a distant prospect. Predictions based on mobile stats and the mobile market’s exponential growth suggest that almost everyone will own a mobile phone in just a few years.

5. Over 74.5% of Chinese own at least one smartphone.

(Statista & Exploding Topics)

It’s perhaps little surprise that the country with the highest population also holds the top spot regarding the number of smartphones its citizens own. 

China now accounts for over a third of the global smartphone market share, with 910.04 million smartphone users. A distant second is India, with 647.53 million smartphones, followed by the United States, with 260 million active smartphone users. 

6. 68.3 million UK residents will use smartphones by 2023.

(Uswitch)

By 2023, 68.3 million of its citizens will own a smartphone. European states generally have a high percentage of smartphone penetration on the market, which goes hand in hand with services and networks available across the European Union without roaming.

7. 285 million Americans will have at least one smartphone by 2023.

(Review42 & Zippia)

According to statistics, 85% of Americans, up to 270 million, own a smartphone as of early 2023. There are predictions that 285 million people in the U.S. will have smartphones by the end of 2023.

8. Mobile device users are expected to reach 7.516 billion by 2026.

(Bank My Cell)

By 2026, mobile device users will increase to 7.516 billion. Predictions of substantial growth for all cellular-enabled phones, tablets, or IoT devices globally exist, and 72.6% of all internet users will access web pages via a smartphone by 2025.

9. 70.93% of all mobile phones run on Android as of March 2023.

(Statcounter)

Android usage statistics for 2023 show that this operating system dominates the smartphone market with 70.93% of the world market share. iOS, an operating system exclusive to Apple’s iPhone and iPad, takes second place with 28.37% of the market share.

10. Samsung owns a market share of 27.14%in the first quarter of 2023.

(Bank My Cell)

Seoul-based tech giant Samsung owns part of the largest smartphone pie. About 64 million Samsung units were sold worldwide in the third quarter of 2022 to surpass that figure and sell around 270 million units in 2023.  

Out of 7.33 billion smartphone users globally in 2023, about 1.033 billion people worldwide use Samsung smartphones, approximately 14.09% of the total smartphone end users worldwide in 2023. Having a market share of 27.14% for the first quarter of 2023 portrays the high penetration rate of Samsung smartphones, making it one of the leading Android manufacturers in the world. 

11. Mobile devices account for about 60% of internet traffic.

(Demand Sage)

For many, having an easy-to-carry device means accessing the internet by simply picking up the phone. Over the last few years, most internet traffic has been recorded on mobile devices. Phone usage statistics and predictions by analysts suggest that 58.43% of people access the internet exclusively via their smartphones as of 2023.

12. 42% of all emails are read on smartphones and tablets.

(Drip)

Mobile email statistics over the past year reveal that users prefer to access their email through mobile devices. Smartphones and tablets are the most frequently used tools. Webmail is used 40% of the time, and finally, desktop email clients 18% of the time. Google’s email platform, Gmail, still dominates the global email market share. But Apple’s email app on iPhone is close behind.

13. 115.9 million Americans access social media solely on their mobile devices.

(Zippia)

Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube are social networking sites that work well on mobile devices and often have exclusive features if you fire them up on your smartphone. Some do not even have a desktop version. As such, many smartphone and tablet users have an account and app for at least one of these social media sites. 

About 35% of the U.S. population access their social-media accounts through mobile phones.

14. The average speed of a U.S. mobile internet connection is 27.06 Mbps.

(Statista)

Globally, the speed at which we connect to the internet via smartphones is steadily increasing and reaching the current broadband standards on desktops. The mobile internet speed is increasing by 25% yearly, as in 2017, the average mobile network speed reached 12.65 megabits per second. And according to predictions, the mobile network will grow to 27.06 megabits per second by 2023.

15. As of 2023, Monaco has the fastest mobile internet of 319.59 Mbps.

(Wise Voter)

Monaco, with an average internet speed of 319.59 Mbps, is the country with the fastest internet speed worldwide. The European nation has harnessed its top-tier infrastructure and brought internet connectivity to a new level.

Coming second is Singapore, with an average internet speed of 300.83 Mbps, then Chile, with an average internet speed of 298.5 Mbps. 

16. Cuba’s average mobile internet speed is 7.21 Mbps as of 2023.

(Wise Voter) 

Phone stats in 2023 list Cuba as the country offering the slowest mobile internet speed, with an average speed of 7.21 Mbps.

17. Mobile users downloaded 255 billion apps in 2022.

(Statista & Business of Apps)

We sure love our smartphone apps. According to the Android and iPhone app usage statistics, there were 10% more mobile app downloads on Android and iOS combined. With 3.3 billion downloads, TikTok was the most downloaded Google Play app in 2022, with 15 million more downloads than 2021 winner Instagram.

18. Meta apps still dominate the mobile market.

(Statista)

Among the top 5 most used apps, 4 are owned by Meta; Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Facebook tops the list with the highest number of active users. The only non-Facebook app in the top 5 is WeChat, a messenger app made by Tencent.

19. 81.8% of Facebook users access services via mobile devices as of 2023.

(Statista) 

If we look at mobile marketing statistics, Facebook is still one of the best places for a company to put up ads targeting mobile users. 81.8% of Facebook users access this network via their smartphones, while 16% of them use tablets, and 25% use a computer. 

Many people choose different platforms for connecting with their Facebook friends. But one thing is for sure if you want to advertise on this platform, target mobile.

20. 21.7% of smartphone users don’t upgrade their devices for four years or more.

(Slashgear)

The cycle of phone upgrades is slowing down. Most smartphone users keep the same device for at least two years. They don’t need a new phone since their current one offers what they need. 16% of smartphone users look for new tech and buy new phones every 6 months.

From a survey done in 2022, about 21.71% of respondents said they only upgrade once every four to five years, while 11.89% declared that they upgrade once a year. Most of the biggest mobile tech brands reveal a new version of each of their most popular smartphones every year or so. 

Mobile Phone Addiction Statistics for 2023.

It is safe to say that over 50% of the total smartphone users are somewhat addicted to their phones, which keeps growing daily. On average, mobile phone users check their phones over  58 times and spend over 3 hours on their phones daily.

This is worrisome as it is unhealthy and can contribute to poor eyesight, loneliness, and depression through cyberbullying.

Read further to get more insights on the mobile addiction statistics for 2023.

21. On average, smartphone users spend over 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones daily.

(Exploding Topics)

We spend a lot of time on our phones. At times we need to be made aware of how long that is. Checking emails, texting, browsing the internet, or just looking up the daily weather forecast gradually adds to a lot of screen time. 

An average smartphone user spends 49 days of the year on their phone. But 20% of smartphone users exceed those numbers, spending 4.5 hours or longer on their phones, which adds up to 76 days per year.

22. We check our phones 58 times a day, on average.

(Exploding Topics)

The phone rings. We pick it up. Whether it’s a text, a notification from Facebook, or a video game popping up, we keep picking up our phones throughout the day. Some users look at their phones once every 3 minutes. Researchers published mobile phone usage statistics, and the figures are shocking. 

Many people need to be made aware that they are checking their phones from time to time. Most of these quick check-ins happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. during our workday, severely affecting our attention span and productivity.

23. Using a smartphone for extended periods increases the risk of obesity by 15.30%.

(Frontiers)

How many hours a day do you use your phone? If you use it for more than 5 hours, you might be putting your health at risk. A study conducted in China saw a correlation between smartphone use and obesity.

Phone users with the most time on their phones have the highest chance of suffering from health problems like heart disease and obesity.

24. For 47% of Americans, a smartphone is something they can’t live without.

(Zippia)

Smartphone dependency and heavy reliance on technology are the reasons behind the chart-breaking phone addiction statistics. We use our smartphones for everything today, from shopping to entertainment. 

That is why nearly half of all surveyed Americans believe a smartphone is something they can’t do without. This way of thinking does necessarily translate into an addiction, especially since phone authentication is a good layer of security. 

However, the situation is alarming since we are all becoming more reliant on technology in our daily lives.

25. Using mobile or smartphones reduces teens’ and adults’ brain or cognitive capacity.

(The University of Chicago Press)

Being too reliant on smartphones can severely affect brain activity. The study discovered that adults and teenagers developed a reliance on smartphone use, making them dependent on gadgets despite not having them around. 

Cellphone use also diminishes other cognitive building tasks as users rely on the gadget to fulfill needs and desires, leading to addiction.

Smartphone addiction slows down certain brain functions and can lead to depression and anxiety. The good news is that it’s treatable through cognitive behavioral therapy.

26. 50% of teenagers believe they are addicted to smartphones.

(Gitnux)

Teenage cell phone use statistics paint an interesting picture. While young people dictate software and hardware development, they often exhibit signs of smartphone addiction. Meanwhile, only 27% of surveyed parents believe they are addicted to smartphones.

27. There are 17 symptoms of smartphone addiction.

(Addiction Center)

Addiction to technology is a relatively new term. Still, psychologists have figured out the telltale signs when someone is addicted to smartphone use. These start with prolonged phone use, the inability to put down the phone, and the need to use it when it’s not nearby. 

Persons suffering from an addiction can also feel unease or even anxiety when they don’t have access to their phones. The addict’s attention is almost entirely focused on phone use, often ignoring side effects like eye strain or potentially dangerous situations. 

28. More than 45% of adults admit to using their phones while driving.

(Drive Research)

Car accidents are usually caused by lowered attention and reaction time. We don’t need any distractions while driving. Meanwhile, our phone keeps beeping and ringing, so it’s tempting to pick it up even during rush hour. 

According to reports,660,000 drivers are using their cell phones while operating a vehicle at any moment in the day.

Among surveyed families, 56% said they check their phones while driving, while 51% of children saw their parents picking up their phones while going. These are the smartphone usage statistics families should not be proud of.

29. 55% of parents argue with their kids about smartphone use daily.

(StudyFinds.org)

Most parents agree that there is a time and place for everything when addressing their children’s phone use. Many families confirmed they often argue about smartphone use. At the same time, just 21% of surveyed parents said they never discussed how often or where they use their phones with their kids.

30. 42% of children spend more than 30 hours per week on their phones.

(MMGuardian) 

Today, it’s not uncommon to see a child under 10 with a brand-new smartphone. Some scary smartphone facts jump off the page when examining cell phone usage statistics by age. Some parents introduce their kids to smartphones during the first two years of their lives, getting them accustomed to the digital world and instant information. Even more shocking is that most parents see this as a positive effect on their children.

31. 87% of people check their phones an hour before or after sleeping.

(Slick Text)

It might not seem like it, but checking your phone right before sleep affects your physical health. More to the point, looking at any screen an hour before going to bed impacts sleep quality. It can also be a sign of addiction, mainly if someone checks their phone immediately after waking up.

Mobile Security Statistics for 2023

Adequate mobile phone security and strong passwords are needed, as the rate of cybercrimes, online fraudulent transactions, and hacking activities is alarming. 

These mobile security statistics will shed more light on the need for airtight mobile phone security.

32. Nearly 90% of Android devices run on outdated systems.

(Statista)

One of the more basic layers of security for a computer system is keeping everything up to date. 

Unfortunately, that fact is lost on the majority of Android users. Only 10.4% of all Android devices currently on the market are running on Android Pie, the newest version of this mobile operating system. 28% of them are still on Android Oreo, but the rest haven’t even gotten to that version. 

This is sometimes a problem blamed on smartphone manufacturers, who drop the support for a device just two to three years after its release. The short answer is – either update your OS or get a newer phone.

33. The number of cyberattacks on mobile phones jumped to 60% in 2022.

(Zippia)

We can’t talk about statistics on mobile security without mentioning hackers. Compared to the same period in 2021, the first half of 2022 saw a massive increase in cyber attacks and malware targeting smartphones. 

Phishing attacks on mobile devices are becoming increasingly common, with cell phones accounting for 60% of cyber fraud. From fraudulent ads to stealing credit card fraud, hackers are fully aware of the number of credentials we keep in our phones today and are looking to get their hands on them. 

Better cell phone security is vital if you do your banking on your phone – losing access to your e-banking software can lead to financial losses and possibly debt.

34. 30% of all cyberattacks target mobile devices.

(Digital Information World)

The primary target of global cyber attacks is smartphones. Statistics show that 30% of the hacks target mobile devices, with South America and Asia being the most commonly targeted continents. 

That makes many of us increasingly vulnerable at a time when we keep a lot of information on our phones, use them in two-step -authentication, and store logins for many services.

35. Mobile malware apps are decreasing by 10% every six months.

(ESET)

Mobile device security statistics have shown progress toward a safer ecosystem. Google detected a significant drop in the number of malicious Android apps. 

The company has been working hard at preventing malware, differentiating malicious from legitimate apps appearing on Google Play, and working with researchers to detect threats.

36. iOS has fewer critical vulnerabilities than Android by 190.

(Information Security Buzz)   

Android is infamous for being an operating system that is not difficult to hack. From the iOS perspective, this system may appear more secure than it is. Researchers found that Android had 574 vulnerabilities in 2021, compared to iOS’ 357, throughout the whole lifespan of the iPhone.

If you suspect your iPhone is infected with a virus, read our guide on how to get rid of it.

37. Adio (Mobile Adware) was the most common Android malware in 2022.

(Secure List)

The Adlo family has the largest share of detected installers (22.07%), replacing the previous leader, the Ewind family, which had a share of 16.46% in 2022. These are useless fake apps that download ads.

A widespread tactic for getting an Android device infected with malware is getting the user to download a file from an untrusted source. It communicates via text messages, sends links, and opens the back door to your phone once it’s in. It’s not harmful; this app installs viruses and other malware on the infected device sooner or later.

38. Email is used in 91% of new cybercrime activity.

(Deloitte)

One of the most significant vulnerabilities in modern computer systems isn’t apps or the OS. It’s the user. The latest mobile phone usage statistics reveal that only 32% of all the emails we receive are not malicious or pure spam.

 As such, the risk of clicking on something undesirable is high. Ransomware, Trojans, and other digital nasties are mainly distributed through email. Hence, it’s no surprise that hackers prefer this attack method.

39. A secured Google account can protect your smartphone from 99% of automated attacks.

(Google)

A recent study into Google gathered some exciting data. Adding a recovery number to your Google account is more than enough to save your account from automated hacks. 

The study jointly conducted by Google and researchers from New York University and the University of California found that automated bots were blocked in 100% of cases. In comparison, bulk phishing attacks were successful just 1% of the time. 

Even if an attack targets you explicitly, there is a 66% chance you can recover your account afterward fully.

40. By the end of 2022, over 200 harmful apps were distributed for Android.

(The Hacker News)

Google Play, the official marketplace for Android apps, often hosts malicious apps. This marketplace is constantly battling the developers who upload such apps. However, some still need to get a lot of downloads before they get taken down. 

More than 200 Android apps masquerading as fitness, photo editing, and puzzle apps distributed spyware called Facestealer to siphon user credentials and other valuable information.

Facestealer is a group of fraudulent apps that invade the official app marketplace for Android to plunder sensitive data, such as Facebook login credentials.

Of the 200 apps, 42 are VPN services, 20 are camera apps, and 13 are photo editing applications. Apart from harvesting credentials, the apps collect Facebook cookies and personally identifiable information about the victim’s account.

41. There were 1.6 million malware-unwanted software installers in 2022.

(Secure List)

One of the nastiest types of malware today is ransomware. These malicious apps lock you out of your data and try to extort money from their targets. Hackers actively target those devices since millions use their smartphones to access the internet.

About 1.66 million malware or unwanted software installers were detected in 2022, a 1.8 million decrease from what was detected in 2021. 

Conclusion

Everyone and their mother has a smartphone nowadays, and that’s because almost everyone does. We rely heavily on these devices, checking them every ten to 12 minutes and spending over five hours using them on average.

And this trend is only expected to continue as it’s easy to see how dominating smartphones are, combined with the projection that global smartphone users will grow by 12% through 2026.