2 Billion Consumers Worldwide to Get Smart(phones) in 2016

The number of smartphone users worldwide is set to exceed 2 billion in 2016, according to the latest data, after coming close to that milestone in 2015. Next year, the global count of smartphone users is expected to reach over 1.91 billion, growing by another 12.6% to nearly 2.16 billion in 2016.

For the first time, more than one-quarter of the world’s population will use smartphones in 2015. By 2018, it's predicted that over one-third of global consumers – more than 2.56 billion people – will be smartphone users. This figure will also account for 51.7% of all mobile phone users, marking the point where feature phones become a minority in the telecommunications landscape.

Smartphone users

Affordable smartphones are creating new opportunities for marketing and commerce in emerging markets where many consumers previously lacked internet access. In more established markets, smartphones are rapidly changing the way consumers engage with media, pushing marketers to adopt a more mobile-focused approach.

The latest mobile user forecast now includes 19 additional countries, bringing the total to 41. This includes estimates for individual countries in the Middle East and Africa. The forecast also expanded significantly to cover more countries in Southeast Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

On a year-by-year basis, the following key milestones are predicted for smartphone adoption across various countries:

2014: China will surpass 500 million smartphone users for the first time.

2015: Russia will overtake Japan to become the fourth-largest smartphone user base.

2016: India will exceed 200 million smartphone users, overtaking the US as the world’s second-largest smartphone market.

2017: The US will reach over 200 million smartphone users, representing nearly 65% of the total population.

2018: Indonesia will cross 100 million smartphone users, solidifying its position as the fourth-largest smartphone market.

Top 25 Countries Ranked by Smartphone Users (2013–2018)

China

2013: 436.1 million
2014: 519.7 million
2015: 574.2 million
2016: 624.7 million
2017: 672.0 million
2018: 720.1 million

2013: 143.9 million
2014: 165.3 million
2015: 184.2 million
2016: 198.5 million
2017: 205.4 million
2018: 220.0 million

India

2013: 76.0 million
2014: 95.8 million
2015: 125.8 million
2016: 167.9 million
2017: 211.6 million
2018: 279.2 million

Japan

2013: 55.9 million
2014: 57.4 million
2015: 58.4 million
2016: 59.1 million
2017: 59.6 million
2018: 60.0 million

Russia

2013: 35.2 million
2014: 49.0 million
2015: 58.8 million
2016: 65.2 million
2017: 68.6 million
2018: 71.9 million

Brazil

2013: 27.1 million
2014: 38.8 million
2015: 48.2 million
2016: 55.0 million
2017: 61.3 million
2018: 70.3 million

Indonesia

2013: 27.4 million
2014: 36.3 million
2015: 52.2 million
2016: 69.6 million
2017: 86.6 million
2018: 103.9 million

Germany

2013: 29.6 million
2014: 36.4 million
2015: 44.5 million
2016: 50.8 million
2017: 54.1 million
2018: 56.9 million

2013: 29.2 million
2014: 36.4 million
2015: 44.4 million
2016: 48.4 million
2017: 45.4 million
2018: 46.6 million

South Korea

2013: 29.3 million
2014: 32.8 million
2015: 33.9 million
2016: 34.5 million
2017: 35.1 million
2018: 35.6 million

Mexico

2013: 22.9 million
2014: 28.7 million
2015: 34.1 million
2016: 39.4 million
2017: 43.5 million
2018: 47.9 million

France

2013: 21.0 million
2014: 26.7 million
2015: 32.9 million
2016: 38.2 million
2017: 41.7 million
2018: 43.9 million

Italy

2013: 19.6 million
2014: 24.7 million
2015: 29.7 million
2016: 34.2 million
2017: 37.0 million
2018: 39.3 million

Turkey

2013: 15.9 million
2014: 22.6 million
2015: 27.8 million
2016: 32.4 million
2017: 37.2 million
2018: 40.7 million

Spain

2013: 19.5 million
2014: 23.7 million
2015: 28.2 million
2016: 32.1 million
2017: 34.9 million
2018: 36.7 million

Philippines

2013: 15.6 million
2014: 20.0 million
2015: 24.3 million
2016: 28.9 million
2017: 34.1 million
2018: 38.2 million

Nigeria

2013: 12.5 million
2014: 17.3 million
2015: 20.8 million
2016: 23.5 million
2017: 25.9 million
2018: 28.4 million

Canada

2013: 15.2 million
2014: 17.8 million
2015: 20.1 million
2016: 22.3 million
2017: 23.6 million
2018: 24.9 million

Thailand

2013: 12.6 million
2014: 16.7 million
2015: 20.4 million
2016: 23.6 million
2017: 25.8 million
2018: 27.6 million

Vietnam

2013: 12.4 million
2014: 16.5 million
2015: 20.7 million
2016: 24.6 million
2017: 26.8 million
2018: 28.6 million

Egypt

2013: 10.2 million
2014: 14.1 million
2015: 17.4 million
2016: 20.4 million
2017: 22.6 million
2018: 25.8 million

Colombia

2013: 11.7 million
2014: 14.3 million
2015: 16.3 million
2016: 18.2 million
2017: 19.5 million
2018: 21.1 million

Australia

2013: 11.4 million
2014: 13.2 million
2015: 14.3 million
2016: 14.7 million
2017: 15.0 million
2018: 15.1 million

Poland

2013: 8.8 million
2014: 12.1 million
2015: 15.2 million
2016: 17.9 million
2017: 19.8 million
2018: 21.5 million

Argentina

2013: 8.8 million
2014: 10.8 million
2015: 12.4 million
2016: 14.6 million
2017: 16.2 million
2018: 17.0 million

Worldwide Total

2013: 1,311.2 million
2014: 1,639.0 million
2015: 1,914.6 million
2016: 2,155.0 million
2017: 2,380.2 million
2018: 2,561.8 million

The chart ranks additional countries beyond this list through 2018. Each ranking shows a significant growth in smartphone adoption during the forecast period.

These forecasts rely on a comprehensive approach that examines global and local trends in areas such as the economy, technology, population, and consumer behavior. This includes analyzing trends specific to companies, products, countries, and demographics.

Data is gathered from various sources, including research firms, government agencies, media outlets, and company reports, and is evaluated based on its methodology and reliability. Each forecast aligns with the broader framework, ensuring consistency across projections in different areas.

Regular updates and re-evaluations are conducted to account for new market developments and emerging trends, keeping the forecasts accurate and relevant.

Top 25 Countries Ranked by Smartphone Users (2013–2018)

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