ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT | MOBILE PHONES

A rst: Majority of U.S. adults now own a smartphone

By MICHAEL HOGUE
Staff Artist mhogue@dallasnews.com

For the rst time since the Pew Research Centers Internet & American Life Project began systematically tracking smartphone adoption, a majority of Americans now own a smartphone of some kind. Heres a look at the growth:

Smartphone ownership by demographic group

Changes in smartphone ownership, 201113

Percentage of all U.S. adults who own 56% 46% 35% 48% 41% 35% Men Women May 2011 February 2012 May 2013

Every major demographic group experienced signicant year-to-year growth in smartphone ownership between 2012 and 2013, although seniors dened as those 65 and older continue to exhibit relatively low adoption levels compared with other demographic groups. Percentage within each group who own a smartphone

Gender
59% 53%

17% 12% 9%

Age
18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55% 39% 18% 69% 79% 81%

Smartphone

Other cellphone

No cellphone

55-64 65+

SOURCE: Pew Research Center

Ethnicity
White Black Hispanic
SOURCE: Pew Research Center

53% 64% 60%

Cell owner platform choices

Percentage of U.S. cellphone owners who say their phone is Windows Blackberry Android iPhone 2% 6% 28% 1% 4%

Samsung leads the pack

Annual global shipments of smartphones grew by more than 40 percent last year, and Samsung accounted for a quarter of them, according to Strategy Analytics. Overall global shipments In millions of units 2011 2012 490.5 700.1

Smartphone ownership by income/age

Less than $30,000 90% 81% 77% 72% 68% $30,000-$74,999 87% $75,000+

2% 10%

47% 40% 43%

20%

15% 19% 10% May 2011 Feb. 2012

Top makers Market share for new shipments, 2012 Samsung 25.2% 25% Others 40.3 May 2013 Nokia 21.3

22%

21%

8% Apple 8.6

ZTE 4.6

18-29

30-49

50-64

65+

SOURCE: Pew Research Center

SOURCES: BBC; McClatchy-Tribune

SOURCE: Pew Research Center

The bottom line

Today, people want to be connected to whats important to them wherever they are, whether its to share photos and experiences with friends, check the news of the day or to nd the closest restaurant. Thats why the popularity of the smartphone and the tablet continues to skyrocket. Were in a mobile revolution. People want to be untethered and enjoy the freedom that mobile technology provides. Adam Vital, AT&T vice president/ general manager, North Texas In less than a decade, smartphones have become the information appliance of choice for a substantial majority of Americans. And while users welcome the convenience and connectivity, they also worry about the downsides of hyper-connectedness from new distractions and interruptions, to new difculties escaping the demands of the workplace. The research shows seniors are still slow to adopt smartphones only 18 percent have one but I hear from plenty of seniors who are anxious to learn about technology. Their questions show they dont want to be left behind, and theyre also ready to show their grandchildren what they know.

Aaron W. Smith, senior researcher, Pew Research Centers Internet & American Life Project

Jim Rossman, The Dallas Morning News