According to the latest global reports, around 69% of the world’s population now owns a smartphone. That means over 5.6 billion people are walking around with the internet in their pockets. If you count the basic feature phones (the old-school keypad ones), the total number of mobile users crosses 7.5 billion. Basically, 90% of humanity is now connected in one way or another.
It wasn't that long ago when pulling out a touchscreen phone felt like a flex. Today, it’s basically as essential as wearing shoes. When we look at where we have reached by the end of 2025, the numbers are honestly kind of mind-blowing. While developed nations have pretty much hit the ceiling with almost everyone owning a phone, the developing world is where the real action is happening right now. According to the latest global reports, around 69% of the world’s population now owns a smartphone. That means over 5.6 billion people are walking around with the internet in their pockets. If you count the basic feature phones (the old-school keypad ones), the total number of mobile users crosses 7.5 billion. Basically, 90% of humanity is now connected in one way or another.
When we break it down by country, the Dragon nation, China, is still sitting comfortably at the top. With over 1.05 billion users, they are in a league of their own. But the real story is India. India has firmly planted itself in the second spot, driven by a massive digital revolution. Currently, there are over 750 million active smartphone users in India, and this number is growing by about 5-7% every year. The USA comes in third with around 310 million users. But here is the difference—in the US, smartphone penetration is already over 85%, meaning almost everyone who wants a phone has one. In India and China, however, there are still hundreds of millions of people yet to come online, so the room for growth there is massive.
There is also a difference between the number of users and the number of devices. Right now, it is estimated that there are about 8.9 billion active mobile connections globally. That’s more than the number of people on Earth! This happens because many of us carry two phones or have dual SIMs, plus there is the rise of IoT devices (Internet of Things). A report by Cisco suggests that by the end of 2025, mobile-connected devices might cross the 18 billion mark. In places like the US and Europe, people average about two connected devices each, and Asia is catching up fast to this trend.
In the battle of operating systems, Android is still the "King of the Common Man." Globally, Google’s Android holds about 70.8% of the market, while Apple’s iOS sits at around 28.4%. But the revenue story is different, with Apple taking the biggest slice of the profit pie. It is interesting to see the geographical split though. Richer nations like the US, Japan, and Canada are dominated by iPhones (around 55-60%), while in countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia, Android has a massive grip, controlling over 90% of the market. The main reason, obviously, is the variety of price points Android offers.
If we look at our habits, it’s getting a bit scary. Our dependence on these black mirrors has hit an all-time high. Reports from 2024-25 show that the average person now spends about 4 hours and 48 minutes looking at their phone every single day. For Gen Z, that number is even higher, crossing 6 hours. It basically means we spend about 30% of our waking life scrolling. Social media, video streaming, and gaming apps are eating up most of this time.
Finally, looking at the brand wars, it’s still the usual suspects at the top. Samsung and Apple are locked in a constant battle. In terms of sheer volume (total phones sold), Samsung usually takes the number one spot with around 20% market share, followed by Apple. But in the premium segment, Apple is unbeatable. Following them are the Chinese giants like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo. In a price-sensitive market like India, these Chinese brands actually control over 60% of the market, which is a significant chunk. With 5G becoming standard and AI now coming directly onto our devices, the market isn't slowing down. By 2027, we might see 7.7 billion smartphone users. It seems pretty clear that in the future, using a smartphone will be just as natural as breathing.
1. Which country has the most smartphone users?
In terms of pure numbers, China is #1 with over a billion users. However, if you look at the percentage of the population (penetration rate), countries like the USA, South Korea, and Norway are ahead.
2. How many people use smartphones in India?
As of 2025 estimates, there are over 750 million smartphone users in India. That’s more than half the population.
3. Which is more popular: Android or iPhone?
Globally, Android is way more popular, holding about 71% of the market. But in specific countries like the US and Japan, iPhone users are the majority.
4. What is the average daily screen time?
On average, people globally spend about 4 hours and 48 minutes on their phones daily. In India, this is slightly higher, hovering around 4.9 hours.
5. Which is the best-selling mobile brand in 2025?
Globally, Samsung sells the most phones. However, in India, there is always a tight race between Xiaomi and Samsung for the top spot.
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