In contrast to the largely stationary internet of the early 2000s, Americans today are increasingly connected to the world of digital information while “on the go” via smartphones and other mobile devices. Explore the patterns and trends that have shaped the mobile revolution below.
Mobile phone ownership over time
The vast majority of Americans – 97% – now own a cellphone of some kind. The share of Americans that own a smartphone is now 85%, up from just 35% in Pew Research Center’s first survey of smartphone ownership conducted in 2011.
A substantial majority of Americans are cellphone owners across a wide range of demographic groups. By contrast, smartphone ownership exhibits greater variation based on age, household income and educational attainment.
% of U.S. adults who say they own a …
Cellphone
Smartphone
Cellphone, but not smartphone
Total
97%
85%
11%
Men
97%
85%
11%
Women
98%
85%
12%
Ages 18-29
100%
96%
4%
30-49
100%
95%
5%
50-64
97%
83%
12%
65+
92%
61%
29%
White
97%
85%
11%
Black
99%
83%
15%
Hispanic
100%
85%
14%
High school or less
96%
75%
19%
Some college
98%
89%
9%
College graduate
98%
93%
5%
Less than $30,000
97%
76%
19%
$30,000-$49,999
97%
83%
14%
$50,000-$74,999
97%
85%
12%
$75,000+
100%
96%
3%
Urban
98%
89%
9%
Suburban
97%
84%
12%
Rural
94%
80%
14%
Note: Respondents who did not give an answer are not shown. White and Black adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Jan. 25-Feb. 8, 2021.
Pew Research Center
Ownership of other devices
Along with mobile phones, Americans own a range of other information devices. About three-quarters of U.S. adults now own a desktop or laptop computer, while roughly half own a tablet computer.
There has been a steady decline of those who use smartphones as their primary means of online access at home in recent years. Today, 15% of American adults are “smartphone-only” internet users – meaning they own a smartphone, but do not have traditional home broadband service.
Reliance on smartphones for online access is especially common among younger adults, lower-income Americans and those with a high school education or less.
