From app developers to phone carriers, everyone that works in phone-related fields nowadays understands the importance of having a firm grasp on contemporary mobile usage. By shaping their products and services to match the latest trends, people can maximize gains and minimize losses. If you need an in-depth report on mobile usage so you may plan your venture accordingly, you have come to the right place. This research from Milagro Mobile Marketing is going to show you all the data and statistics that you must keep in mind about mobile usage.
1.Mobile Usage By Age Groups
- Gen Z (Between 18 and 24): 98 out of every 100 members in the group own smartphones and their mobile usage ranges from 4 to 6 hours a day. At the moment, Gen Z is the most digitally connected generation, expressing a strong inclination toward social media, streaming services, instant communications, etc.
- Millennials (Between 25 and 40): 96 out of every 100 members in the group own smartphones and their mobile usage ranges from 3 to 5 hours a day. The group spends a lot of time on social media but its members also dedicate considerable screen time to other activities such as online shopping.
- Gen X (Between 41 and 55): 85 out of every 100 members in the group own smartphones and their mobile usage ranges from 2 to 4 hours a day. Usually, Gen X uses their devices for a mix of activities: browsing the web, listening to music, reading news, ….
- Baby Boomers (Between 56 and 75): 70 out of every 100 members in the group own smartphones and their mobile usage ranges from 1 to 3 hours per day. In most of the cases, members of the group make use of their devices for calling, messaging and so on.
- Silent Generation (Over 76): 40 out of every 100 members in the group own smartphones and their mobile usage ranges from 1 to 2 hours per day. Owing to a couple of factors, the group mainly uses basic functions of their devices.
2.Mobile Usage Between Men And Women
- Communication and social media: A lot of studies show that women use their smartphones for communication and social media more regularly than men. On average, 53% of women use social media multiple times throughout the day compared to 38% of men.
- Gaming and entertainment: Given the same settings, men tend to spend more time on mobile gaming and entertainment apps than women. Between the genders, 59% of men use their smartphones for gaming and entertainment compared to 47% of women.
- Data seeking: Owing to the need to search for recipes, health information, product specifications and so on, women spend more time on data seeking than men. Today, 60% of women use their smartphones for data seeking compared to 46% of men.
3.Number Of Phone Checks In A Day
Different people check their smartphones for different reasons but on average, smartphone owners check their devices around 47 times a day. Going by that number, excluding sleeping time, smartphone owners check their devices once every 20.4 minutes. Noteworthily, while the number of phones seems to decrease over the years, screen time actually increases. Currently, smartphone owners spend around 4.2 hours on their devices, a 30% increase compared to previous years.
4.Number Of Phones Per Individual
Based on the latest survey, each smartphone owner owns 1.53 devices on average but that number varies between countries, regions, … For instance, people who live in developed countries and have high smartphone adoption rates usually own multiple phones. On the other hand, those who live in economically disadvantaged regions should have limited access to smartphones. Aside from that, employees in specific professions (tech support, sales pros, etc) might be inclined to own more than one smartphone.
5.Latest Trends In Mobile Usage
Internet
As more and more Internet-supported smartphones reach the market, mobile Internet usage steadily gains the lead on desktop Internet usage. According to contemporary statistics, mobile devices accounted for approximately 55.73% of all global website traffic. The convenience of accessing information and services on the fly contributes to the prevalence of mobile Internet usage. Needless to say, businesses feel compelled to adopt mobile-first strategies and optimize websites for mobile users.
Apps
Mobile apps by all accounts continue to thrive as users increasingly appreciate app-based experiences. The number of mobile app downloads is on a continuous upward trajectory. For instance, consumers downloaded a staggering 218 billion apps in the previous year. Social media, video streaming, gaming and e-commerce apps are among the most downloaded categories which highlight demands for entertainment as well as online shopping.
Gaming
Mobile gaming is now a colossal market: millions of players participate in mobile gaming every day. According to some reports, mobile games annually generated $90.7 billion in revenue, accounting for 53% of the global gaming market. The rise of casual gaming, social gaming, and eSports has attracted players of all ages. That is responsible for fostering a lucrative ecosystem for developers and advertisers alike.
E-Commerce
To put it plainly, the convenience and accessibility of mobile shopping have propelled the growth of E-commerce. Previously, it was forecasted that global mobile commerce revenue would reach $3.56 trillion by the early 2020s. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst as lockdowns and restrictions pushed consumers toward online shopping. Mobile wallets and contactless payment options have streamlined the buying process as well.
Social Media
The impact of social media on mobile usage cannot be overstated. Social media platforms have become essential communication tools and information hubs. Last year, the number of social media users worldwide reached 4.48 billion, around 57.26% of the global population. Finally, the rapid adoption of short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Reels also showcases users’ preference for engaging content that comes in bite sizes.
Network
The rollout of 5G networks is revolutionizing connectivity as a whole and promising unprecedented speeds plus low latency. A number of parties predict that by 2025, 5G connections will reach 1.8 billion globally. The consistent and reliable network is expected to reshape mobile experiences and support 4K video streaming, augmented reality, … on a massive scale.
Privacy And Security
Considering the increased mobile usage, it’s only natural that concerns over privacy and security have grown in intensity. Data breaches, tracking and targeted advertising have raised user awareness about the importance of safeguarding personal information. A study found that 79% of adults are concerned about how companies use their data and express the desire for solid data protection.
Health
Mobile devices play an increasingly crucial role in monitoring the health and well-being of people. The pandemic-induced changes in personal health have led to a surge in symptom-tracking apps, mental health support, telemedicine services, … Assuming that there is no chance, the global digital health market is expected to surpass $500 billion by 2025 and the growth rate is mostly sustained by mobile apps.
6.Best Selling Mobile Brands
Samsung
Nowadays. Samsung is widely recognized as one of the leading mobile brands in terms of sales. The Korean powerhouse introduces to the market a wide range of smartphones across the price ranges so there is something for everyone. For instance, the flagship Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series of Samsung prove to be preferred choices for tech enthusiasts. Samsung’s strong global presence, extensive marketing campaigns and innovative features have contributed to its success as a whole in the mobile market.
- Market share: Between 20% and 30%.
- Annual sales: 260+ million units.
Apple
Apple, the creator of the iconic iPhone, retains a dominant position in the world of smartphones. The strong brand loyalty, ecosystem integration and regular updates have ensured continued success around the globe for Apple. Thanks to the focus on design, user experience, and privacy features, Apple is held in high esteem by smartphone users.
- Market share: Between 15% and 20%.
- Annual sales: 200+ million units.
Xiaomi
Based in China, Xiaomi is a young brand compared to its competitors but its products have achieved remarkable success in recent years. Famous for marketing feature-rich smartphones at affordable prices, Xiaomi is a notable party in various emerging markets. Prime examples include the Redmi and Mi series which have been well-received by budget-minded consumers.
- Market share: Between 10% and 15%.
- Annual sales: 140+ million units.
Huawei
Like Xiaomi, Huawei also comes from China and it deals in high-quality smartphones, especially in the premium and mid-range segments. Prior to 2019, Huawei was one of the fastest-growing smartphone manufacturers in the world. Presently, as a result of trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. government, Huawei faces many difficulties and its growth halts.
- Market share: Around 10%.
- Annual sales: 180+ million units.
| Samsung | Apple | Xiaomi | Huawei | |
| Market share | 20% – 30% | 15% – 20% | 10% – 15%. | 10% |
| Annual sales | 260+ million | 200+ million | 140+ million | 180+ million |
7.Chart-Topping Phone Carriers
Verizon
In case you don’t know, Verizon is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States and it provides mobile services to millions of customers. The strengths of Verizon consist of expansive network, consistent coverage and high data speeds.
- Subscriber base: 120+ million
- Market share: Around 30% in the US.
AT&T
It would be a mistake not to mention AT&T (American Telephone and Telegraph) while talking about telecommunications in the United States. Today, AT&T supplies mobile and landline services, TV, Internet, … and its customers can subscribe to prepaid as well as postpaid plans.
- Subscriber base: 100+ million
- Market share: Around 25% in the US.
T-Mobile
Known for its aggressive marketing strategies and competitive pricing, T-Mobile is by all accounts a big player in the telecommunications industry. The popularity of T-Mobile comes from a series of innovative plans and promotions such as the “T-Mobile Tuesdays” reward scheme.
- Subscriber base: 100+ million.
- Market share: Around 20% in the U.S.
China Mobile
All things considered, China Mobile is the largest phone carrier in China and even on a global scale, no one can match its size. Operating in the world’s most populous country, China Mobile is responsible for keeping a massive number of people connected at any time.
- Subscriber base: 900+ million.
- Market share: Over 50% in China.
Vodafone
As a multinational company, Vodafone maintains a considerable presence in multiple countries. Its main markets at the moment comprise Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania which contain millions of customers.
- Subscriber base: 300+ million.
- Market share: Varied across regions.
Telefonica
Similar to Vodafone, Telefonica is a multinational company but it mainly caters to customers living in Europe and Latin America. It is the parent company of various brands including Movistar.
- Subscriber base: 100+ million.
- Market share: Varied across regions but the company is rather popular in its home country, Spain.
| Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile | China Mobile | Vodafone | Telefonica | |
| Subscriber base | 120+ million | 100+ million | 100+ million | 900+ million | 300+ million | 100+ million |
| Market share | 30% (US) | 25% (US) | 20% (US) | 50% (China) | Varied | Varied |
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/
https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-stats
https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-017-1503-z
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators
https://www.sam-solutions.com/blog/top-mobile-technology-trends/
A dynamic and multifaceted professional developer who has made significant strides in the Android industry. As a pivotal member of the Milagro Mobile Marketing team, Vinh’s journey is a testament to the power of education, experience, and unwavering passion for mobile technology.