How Many People Own Smartphones? (2025-2029)

01/12/26
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TL;DR Summary of Global Smartphone Ownership and Market Trends in 2025-2027

The **smartphone market** has surpassed **7 billion devices worldwide** with a projected steady increase through 2027. **Android dominates globally** with a 79% market share, while **iOS leads in the US**. Smartphone ownership correlates strongly with **education level, income, and age**, and usage continues to expand even in highly developed nations. Despite growth, challenges like supply shortages and regional disparities remain.

Optimixed’s Overview: Comprehensive Insights into the Expanding Global Smartphone Landscape

Smartphone Penetration and User Demographics

Smartphones are now nearly ubiquitous in developed countries, with over 70% penetration in the top nations. China leads with the highest number of smartphone users globally, followed by India and the United States. The US boasts the highest penetration rate at 81.6%, with ownership most prevalent among younger adults, females, suburban residents, and college graduates. Income also influences ownership rates, with higher earners more likely to own smartphones.

Market Growth and Device Statistics

  • There are over 7 billion smartphones worldwide, exceeding the global population due to multiple device ownership.
  • Between 2020 and 2025, smartphone users increased by at least 5% annually, with projections estimating nearly 7.8 billion devices by 2027.
  • Smartphones now account for 94% of all internet-accessing devices, driving an average daily screen time of 4 hours and 37 minutes.

Market Share and Operating Systems

  • Samsung and Apple lead the smartphone market, holding 18.8% and 18.2% shares respectively as of late 2025.
  • Other notable brands include Xiaomi, Transsion, and vivo.
  • Android dominates globally with a 79% OS market share, whereas iOS leads in the US with 27.64%.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite robust growth, the market faces challenges such as a global memory shortage and delayed product launches affecting 2026 projections. Additionally, approximately 8% of the global population lacks electricity, limiting smartphone access in some regions. However, overall adoption is expected to continue rising as technology becomes increasingly accessible worldwide.