Insights into Smartphone Ownership and Usage in the U.S.

Table of Contents

Unlike the stationary internet of the early 2000s, Americans today stay connected to digital information on the move, thanks to smartphones and other mobile devices. The trends and patterns shaping this mobile transformation are significant.

Mobile Phone Ownership Over Time

Currently, 97% of Americans own a cellphone, reflecting widespread adoption. Among them, 85% own a smartphone, a significant increase from just 35% in 2011, as reported in Pew Research Center's first survey on smartphone ownership.

Mobile phone ownership by date

% of U.S. adults say they own the following devices:

mobile phone ownership

Cellphones:

10/27/2002: 62%
11/30/2004: 65%
2/9/2005: 66%
12/31/2005: 67%
3/28/2006: 66%
4/6/2006: 73%
9/5/2007: 76%
12/2/2007: 75%
1/13/2008: 77%
5/11/2008: 78%
8/10/2008: 82%
12/20/2008: 84%
1/27/2009: 85%
4/19/2009: 85%
9/14/2009: 84%
12/27/2009: 83%
1/19/2010: 80%
5/30/2010: 82%
9/13/2010: 85%
11/1/2010: 84%
11/24/2010: 82%
11/28/2010: 82%
12/21/2010: 81%
3/20/2011: 86%
5/22/2011: 83%
8/26/2011: 84%
12/21/2011: 87%
1/8/2012: 88%
1/15/2012: 87%
2/19/2012: 88%
4/3/2012: 88%
8/5/2012: 87%
8/7/2012: 89%
9/6/2012: 85%
9/23/2012: 88%
9/30/2012: 89%
10/14/2012: 88%
11/4/2012: 89%
11/10/2012: 84%
12/9/2012: 87%
12/16/2012: 88%
1/6/2013: 89%
5/19/2013: 91%
7/14/2013: 90%
7/28/2013: 91%
9/16/2013: 89%
9/30/2013: 91%
10/6/2013: 92%
1/5/2014: 92%
1/12/2014: 90%
1/26/2014: 91%
2/18/2014: 90%
4/27/2014: 92%
9/21/2014: 91%
12/21/2014: 89%
4/12/2015: 92%
7/12/2015: 92%
11/15/2015: 91%
4/4/2016: 92%
5/3/2016: 92%
11/6/2016: 95%
1/10/2018: 95%
2/7/2019: 96%
2/8/2021: 97%

Smartphones:

5/22/2011: 35%
1/15/2012: 39%
2/19/2012: 45%
4/3/2012: 46%
8/5/2012: 44%
9/6/2012: 45%
9/23/2012: 43%
11/10/2012: 46%
12/9/2012: 45%
1/6/2013: 51%
5/19/2013: 56%
7/14/2013: 53%
7/28/2013: 53%
9/16/2013: 54%
9/30/2013: 55%
10/6/2013: 58%
1/5/2014: 55%
1/12/2014: 58%
1/26/2014: 55%
12/21/2014: 59%
4/12/2015: 67%
7/12/2015: 68%
11/15/2015: 69%
4/4/2016: 72%
5/3/2016: 70%
11/6/2016: 77%
1/10/2018: 77%
2/7/2019: 81%
2/8/2021: 85%

Note: Data excludes respondents who did not provide an answer.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted from 2002 to 2021.

Cellphone and Smartphone Ownership

The majority of Americans across various demographic groups own a cellphone. However, smartphone ownership shows more variation depending on factors like age, income, and level of education.

Device ownership by category:

Total Population:

Cellphone: 97%
Smartphone: 85%
Cellphone, but not smartphone: 11%

By Gender:

Men:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 85%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 11%
Women:
- Cellphone: 98%
- Smartphone: 85%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 12%

By Age:

Ages 18-29:
- Cellphone: 100%
- Smartphone: 96%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 4%
Ages 30-49:
- Cellphone: 100%
- Smartphone: 95%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 5%
Ages 50-64:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 83%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 12%
Ages 65+:
- Cellphone: 92%
- Smartphone: 61%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 29%

By Race/Ethnicity:

White:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 85%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 11%
Black:
- Cellphone: 99%
- Smartphone: 83%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 15%
Hispanic:
- Cellphone: 100%
- Smartphone: 85%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 14%

By Education:

High School or Less:
- Cellphone: 96%
- Smartphone: 75%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 19%
Some College:
- Cellphone: 98%
- Smartphone: 89%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 9%
College Graduate:
- Cellphone: 98%
- Smartphone: 93%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 5%

By Income:

Less than $30,000:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 76%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 19%
$30,000-$49,999:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 83%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 14%
$50,000-$74,999:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 85%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 12%
$75,000+:
- Cellphone: 100%
- Smartphone: 96%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 3%

By Community Type:

Urban:
- Cellphone: 98%
- Smartphone: 89%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 9%
Suburban:
- Cellphone: 97%
- Smartphone: 84%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 12%
Rural:
- Cellphone: 94%
- Smartphone: 80%
- Cellphone, but not smartphone: 14%

Note: Respondents who did not provide an answer are excluded from the data. White and Black adults are categorized as individuals identifying solely with one race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may belong to any race.

Source: A survey of U.S. adults conducted between January 25 and February 8, 2021.

Ownership of Other Devices

In addition to mobile phones, many Americans also own other digital devices. Approximately three-quarters of adults report owning a desktop or laptop computer, and nearly half own a tablet.

This % of U.S. adults say they own such devices besides a mobile phone:

E-Reader:

4/19/2009: 2%
9/14/2009: 3%
5/30/2010: 4%
9/13/2010: 5%
11/24/2010: 6%
5/22/2011: 12%
8/26/2011: 9%
12/21/2011: 10%
1/8/2012: 18%
1/15/2012: 19%
2/19/2012: 14%
4/3/2012: 18%
8/5/2012: 19%
11/10/2012: 19%
1/6/2013: 26%
5/19/2013: 24%
9/30/2013: 24%
4/12/2015: 19%
4/4/2016: 17%
11/6/2016: 22%

Tablet Computer:

5/30/2010: 3%
9/13/2010: 4%
11/24/2010: 5%
5/22/2011: 8%
8/26/2011: 10%
12/21/2011: 10%
1/8/2012: 20%
1/15/2012: 19%
2/19/2012: 14%
4/3/2012: 18%
8/5/2012: 21%
8/7/2012: 25%
11/10/2012: 24%
12/16/2012: 29%
1/6/2013: 31%
5/19/2013: 34%
9/30/2013: 34%
4/12/2015: 45%
4/4/2016: 48%
11/6/2016: 51%
1/10/2018: 53%
2/7/2019: 52%
2/8/2021: 53%

Desktop/Laptop Computer:

1/13/2008: 74%
6/20/2010: 78%
12/21/2011: 75%
1/15/2012: 78%
11/10/2012: 77%
4/12/2015: 73%
4/4/2016: 74%
11/6/2016: 78%
1/10/2018: 73%
2/7/2019: 74%
2/8/2021: 77%

Note: Data excludes respondents who did not provide an answer.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted from 2008 to 2021.

Smartphone Dependency Over Time

Smartphone dependency means relying solely on a smartphone for internet access without a home broadband connection. The number of people relying solely on smartphones for home internet access has gradually decreased in recent years. Currently, 15% of American adults are considered "smartphone-only" internet users, meaning they have a smartphone but lack traditional home broadband service.

Smartphone Dependency

Percentage of U.S. adults who are smartphone-dependent (by year):

2013: 8%
2014: --
2015: 13%
2016: 12%
2017: --
2018: 20%
2019: 17%
2021: 15%

Note: Data excludes participants who did not provide a response.

Source: Surveys of U.S. adults conducted from 2013 to 2021. Each year’s data is based on an analysis of all surveys that included questions about broadband and smartphone usage during that time.

Who Is Smartphone-Dependent

Smartphone dependency varies across different demographic groups in the United States.

Age:

Younger adults are more likely to be smartphone-dependent.
- Ages 18-29: 28%
- Ages 30-49: 18%
- Ages 50-64: 10%
- Ages 65 and older: 5%

Race and Ethnicity:

Black and Hispanic adults have higher rates of smartphone dependency compared to White adults.
- Black adults: 24%
- Hispanic adults: 25%
- White adults: 12%

Gender:

The rates of smartphone dependency are similar between men and women.
- Men: 15%
- Women: 15%

Income:

Individuals with lower household incomes are more likely to be smartphone-dependent.
- Less than $30,000: 26%
- $30,000-$49,999: 14%
- $50,000-$74,999: 11%
- $75,000 or more: 6%

Education:

Those with lower educational attainment show higher smartphone dependency.
- High school or less: 20%
- Some college: 14%
- College graduate: 6%

Community Type:

Urban residents are more likely to be smartphone-dependent compared to those in suburban or rural areas.
- Urban: 17%
- Suburban: 13%
- Rural: 13%

These statistics highlight the disparities in internet access across various demographic groups, emphasizing the importance of addressing digital equity.