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Pew: Almost 60% of Americans now own smartphones

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 8:41PM EST
Smarthone Ownership 2013

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A new study has found for the first time ever that the majority of Americans now own smartphones. According to the Pew Research Center, 56% of Americans who are 18 and older now own smartphones, up from 46% in February of 2012, while overall cell phone penetration has grown from 88% in 2012 to 91%. The number of Americans who own either an iPhone or an Android smartphone was found to have “grown dramatically” since 2011. Android owners now represent 28% of all cell owners, an increase from 15% in May 2011, while 25% of cell phone owners own an iPhone, up from 10% in May 2011. BlackBerry ownership on the other hand has fallen from 10% in May of 2011 to just 4%, while Windows Phone was found to account for just 1% of ownership.

The research firm notes that while the iPhone and Android have similar market shares, people with higher income and education are “much more likely than those with lower-income and educational levels to say they own an iPhone.” Nearly half, or 49%, of respondents from households with a combined income of $150,000 or more said they owned an iPhone. Apple’s smartphone was also more popular than Android among adults age 55 and older.

Dan joins the BGR team as the Android Editor, covering all things relating to Google’s premiere operating system. His work has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn’t testing the latest devices or apps, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.