Smartphone Ownership in America: Trends and Insights for 2025

Walter Smyth | November 26, 2025 | General, Mobile News and PR, Mobility | No Comments

According to PEW Research Center, in 2025, nearly every American adult carries a cellphone. According to the latest survey by Pew Research, 98% of U.S. adults now report owning a cellphone of some kind, and 91% own a smartphone.

Mobile devices are nearly ubiquitous. This reflects a dramatic transformation from the early 2000s. During that time, cellphone ownership was just over half of adults. Illustrating how deeply embedded mobile technology has become in everyday life.

Who Has a Smartphone and Who Does Not?

Smartphone ownership is widespread across demographic groups but the adoption rate is not uniform.

Among younger adults (ages 18–29), virtually all own smartphones (about 97%).
Ownership remains high, yet modestly lower, in older age groups (for adults 65 and older it is around 78%).
By income: those in households with lower income (less than US$30,000 annually) are less likely to own a smartphone (82%). This is compared with higher-income households.
Educational attainment and community type (urban, suburban, rural) also show variation. Even in the lower-adoption brackets, a majority still own smartphones.

These disparities remind us that while mobile technology is widespread, access is not perfectly equal. Socioeconomic factors continue to influence the degree to which individuals participate in the mobile digital world.

The Rise of “Smartphone-Only” Users

An increasingly important and sometimes overlooked segment of Americans relies solely on their smartphone for internet access. Pew calls these “smartphone-only” users: people who own a smartphone but do not have a home broadband subscription. As of the 2025 survey, 16% of U.S. adults fall into this category.

This share has risen substantially over the past decade, roughly doubling since 2013 (when only 8% were smartphone-only users).

Smartphone dependence is more common among lower-income households. It is also prevalent among adults with less formal education. This highlights that for many Americans, smartphones remain not just a convenience, but the primary gateway to the internet.

What This Means: Connectivity, Inequality and Digital Life

The data from Pew’s 2025 “Mobile Fact Sheet” paints a picture of a society where mobile technology is nearly universal. It also shows a society where access and dependency vary with income, education, age, and other social factors.

Widespread connectivity: Almost all adults own a cellphone. Most own smartphones. Mobile devices have become the default way many Americans communicate. They access information and engage with the digital world this way.
Digital inequality persists: Even though smartphone adoption is high, differences by income, age, and education affect internet access. Access to other forms of reliable, high-speed internet, such as home broadband, is unevenly distributed. This can influence everything from job opportunities to educational resources to civic participation.
Mobile-only reality for many: For the 16% who depend solely on smartphones for internet access, mobile connectivity is not optional. It is essential. That has implications for how services, content, and support are delivered, especially for lower-income and less-privileged communities.
Generational shift: Younger adults experience the internet very differently than older generations. Younger people are adopting smartphones at a higher rate. As a result, digital habits, expectations, and dependencies are likely to shape how future society accesses information. They will also influence how society communicates and participates online.

Looking Ahead

As mobile adoption stabilizes at very high levels, future policy and social efforts may need to shift focus. Efforts could concentrate on closing the gaps in broadband access. They should also focus on improving affordability and ensuring equitable digital inclusion. For example, expanding affordable home-broadband options could help reduce the reliance on smartphones alone. Supporting community-based internet initiatives could also assist in lessening this reliance. This would address limitations like limited data, smaller screens, or more expensive mobile plans.

Mobile devices continue to shape how people socialize, work, learn, and access services. Stakeholders from educators to policymakers to businesses must recognize the diversity of access and dependency across different demographic groups. A “one-size-fits-all” digital strategy may leave behind the very people who rely the most on mobile-only access.

Why It Matters

The nearly universal adoption of mobile devices in the United States is more than a technological milestone. Pew Research has documented this extensively. It shows how deeply digital life is integrated into daily living. We connect with friends and family, get news, apply for jobs, access services, and participate in civic life.

The persistent divides in broadband access suggest inequality. The growth of smartphone-only users highlights that having a device doesn’t always provide equal opportunity. It also doesn’t always ensure quality of access. In that sense, the smartphone revolution is still unfolding. This is not just in terms of gadgets. It also unfolds in terms of social equity, access, and inclusion.