Smartphones are more than just communication devices that are shaping our daily routine and influencing everything from how we work to how we relax.
With approximately 4.88 billion users worldwide, smartphones are now a fundamental part of modern life, reflecting a significant increase in global connectivity and access to digital resources.
But How Much Time Does the Average Person actually Spend on Their Phone ?
Well, According to Statista an average person in the U.S. spends about 4 hours and 39 minutes on their smartphones.
This time is predominantly spent on various activities such as using mobile apps, browsing the internet, and engaging in social media.
Additionally, the average smartphone user checks their phone approximately 58 times a day, highlighting the pervasive nature of smartphone use in modern society
Below we have mentioned a table breaking down the avg. time spent on smartphones over the years:
| Year | Time |
| 2019 | 3 Hours and 45 Minutes |
| 2020 | 4 Hours and 16 Minutes |
| 2021 | 4 Hours and 24 Minutes |
| 2022 | 4 Hours and 30 Minutes |
| 2023 | 4 Hours and 36 Minutes |
| 2024 | 4 Hours and 39 Minutes |
Source: Statista
To understand to Time spend by users more deeply, PrioriData conducted their own survey and came with the following results.
Methodology Used
In July 2024, Priori Data conducted a survey with 4,051 participants to understand their phone screen time habits.
Participants were asked to check and report their average daily screen time logged on their phones. The age range of respondents was from 18 to 81 Years, with an average age of 42.
The demographic breakdown included 5% Baby Boomers, 25% Gen X, 25% Millennials, and 25% Gen Z.
Gender distribution was 52% women, 45% men, 2% nonbinary, and 1% preferred not to say.
Key Smartphone Usage Statistics
- The average person in the U.S. spends about 4 hours and 39 minutes on their smartphone daily.
- An average smartphone user checks their phone 58 times a day.
- 94% of teenagers aged 13 to 18 own smartphones.
- Only 46% of seniors aged 65 and older own smartphones.
- 85% of smartphone users engage in messaging, making it the most common activity.
- 72% of users use their phones for maps and directions.
- 65% of users only use their phone for social networking.
- 60% of people sleep with their phones at night.
- Filipinos spend the most time on their phones, averaging 5 hours and 23 minutes per day.
- The global average daily smartphone usage is 3 hours and 52 minutes.
- In the U.S., 36% of people feel they spend too much time on their smartphones.
- 59% of people use their phones in the bathroom.
- 48% of users scroll through their phones out of habit or muscle memory.
Smartphone Ownership Distribution by age
Recent data on smartphone ownership by age has shown some interesting trends.
Among teenagers aged 13 to 18, 94% own smartphones.
This increases slightly to 95% for young adults aged 18 to 30.
For adults aged 30 to 50, ownership drops to 89%.
For seniors aged 65 and older, only 46% have smartphones.
| Age Bracket | Mobile ownership |
| 13 to 18 Years | 94.0% |
| 18 to 30 Years | 95.0% |
| 30 to 50 years | 89.0% |
| 50 to 65 years | 74.0% |
| 65 and over | 46.0% |
Smartphone Usage and Habits Stats
Messaging is the most common activity, with 85% of users engaging in it.
Browsing the web is done by 77% of users, while 72% rely on their smartphones for maps and directions.
E-commerce is popular with 70% of users shopping online through their phones.
Social networking is used by 65% of people, and streaming audio is enjoyed by 62%.
Finally, video calling is used by 56% of smartphone owners.
| Activity | Usage |
|---|---|
| Messaging | 85% |
| Taking Photos | 83% |
| Browsing the Web | 77% |
| Maps and Directions | 72% |
| E-commerce | 70% |
| Social Networking | 65% |
| Streaming Audio | 62% |
| Short Clips and Chats | 68% |
| Mobile Banking | 63% |
| Video Calling | 56% |
Annual Smartphone Usage Time
On average, people check their phones 58 times a day.
| Time Spent on Smartphone | Average Amount of Times Per Day | Percentage of Daily Pick-Ups |
| Less Than 2 Minutes | 40 | 69% |
| 2 to 10 Minutes | 15 | 26% |
| 10+ Minutes | 3 | 5% |
Sources: Rescue Time
Time Spent Using Smartphones By Region
Globally, people spend varying amounts of time on their smartphones daily.
The Philippines leads with an average of 5 hours and 23 minutes per day, followed by Brazil at 5 hours and 17 minutes, and South Africa at 5 hours and 13 minutes.
Other high-usage countries include Thailand (5 hours and 20 minutes), Ghana (4 hours and Malaysia (4 hours and 32 minutes).
In the US, the average daily usage is 3 hours and 40 minutes, while countries like Canada, Germany, and France report lower averages of around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Japan has the lowest reported usage, averaging 1 hour and 55 minutes per day.
| Country | Continent | Time Spent on Smartphone per Day |
| Philippines | Asia | 5 hours and 23 minutes |
| Brazil | South America | 5 hours and 17 minutes |
| South Africa | Africa | 5 hours and 13 minutes |
| Thailand | Asia | 5 hours and 20 minutes |
| Ghana | Africa | 4 hours and 54 minutes |
| Chile | South America | 4 hours and 45 minutes |
| Colombia | South America | 4 hours and 46 minutes |
| Indonesia | Asia | 4 hours and 45 minutes |
| Argentina | South America | 4 hours and 35 minutes |
| Malaysia | Asia | 4 hours and 32 minutes |
| Kenya | Africa | 4 hours and 34 minutes |
| UAE | Asia | 4 hours and 36 minutes |
| Egypt | Africa | 4 hours and 27 minutes |
| Mexico | North America | 4 hours and 25 minutes |
| Saudi Arabia | Asia | 4 hours and 26 minutes |
| Nigeria | Africa | 4 hours and 22 minutes |
| Turkey | Europe/Asia | 4 hours and 9 minutes |
| Taiwan | Asia | 4 hours and 8 minutes |
| India | Asia | 4 hours and 5 minutes |
| Russia | Europe/Asia | 3 hours and 51 minutes |
| Israel | Asia | 3 hours and 50 minutes |
| Romania | Europe | 3 hours and 55 minutes |
| Global Average | – | 3 hours and 52 minutes |
| Bulgaria | Europe | 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| US | North America | 3 hours and 40 minutes |
| Portugal | Europe | 3 hours and 32 minutes |
| China | Asia | 3 hours and 33 minutes |
| Vietnam | Asia | 3 hours and 32 minutes |
| Singapore | Asia | 3 hours and 24 minutes |
| Croatia | Europe | 3 hours and 19 minutes |
| Hong Kong | Asia | 3 hours and 15 minutes |
| Ireland | Europe | 3 hours and 12 minutes |
| Hungary | Europe | 3 hours and 15 minutes |
| New Zealand | Oceania | 3 hours and 12 minutes |
| Sweden | Europe | 3 hours and 12 minutes |
| Poland | Europe | 3 hours and 7 minutes |
| Canada | North America | 2 hours and 55 minutes |
| Norway | Europe | 2 hours and 54 minutes |
| Italy | Europe | 2 hours and 53 minutes |
| UK | Europe | 2 hours and 52 minutes |
| Australia | Oceania | 2 hours and 57 minutes |
| Czechia | Europe | 2 hours and 54 minutes |
| Greece | Europe | 2 hours and 52 minutes |
| Spain | Europe | 2 hours and 55 minutes |
| Netherlands | Europe | 2 hours and 48 minutes |
| South Korea | Asia | 2 hours and 45 minutes |
| Austria | Europe | 2 hours and 45 minutes |
| Switzerland | Europe | 2 hours and 38 minutes |
| Germany | Europe | 2 hours and 37 minutes |
| France | Europe | 2 hours and 34 minutes |
| Belgium | Europe | 2 hours and 27 minutes |
| Denmark | Europe | 2 hours and 25 minutes |
| Morocco | Africa | 2 hours and 22 minutes |
| Japan | Asia | 1 hour and 55 minutes |
Source: DataReportal
Smartphone Usage In The US
Approximately 36% of Americans feel they spend too much time on their smartphones daily.
While 40% aim to reduce their smartphone usage, 27% doubt they will be successful.
| Generation | Average Screen Time | People Who Feel Addicted |
| Gen Z | 6 hours & 2 minutes | 54% |
| Millennial | 4 hours & 34 minutes | 46% |
| Gen x | 4 hours & 6 minutes | 42% |
| Baby Boomer | 3 hours & 27 minutes | 25% |
Smartphone Usage By Generation
| Generation | Phone Usage | Trying to Reduce Screen Time |
| Baby Boomers | 52.6% | 32.3% |
| Gen X | 65.7% | 41.7% |
| Millennials | 64.3% | 32.5% |
| Gen Z | 75.3% | 42% |
Why Do People Get Addicted to Their Phones?
People exhibit addictive behaviors with their smartphones due to a combination of over-reliance, habitual use, and the pervasive nature of these devices in daily life.
Here are some key statistics that illustrate it:
- Over-reliance: 52% of individuals feel they are overly dependent on their phones, indicating a strong reliance on these devices for various aspects of daily life.
- Usage in Private Spaces: 59% of people use their phones while in the bathroom, showing that smartphone usage is spread out even in the most private moments.
- Distracted Driving: 27% of drivers check their phones when stopped at red lights, highlighting the difficulty many have in disconnecting from their devices, even momentarily.
- Habitual Scrolling: 48% of users scroll through their phones out of habit or muscle memory, suggesting that phone usage has become an ingrained, almost automatic behaviour for many.
