In this article, we’ll discuss the 25 countries with the most smartphone users in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the smartphone market and its recent trends, then go directly to the 7 Countries with the Most Smartphone Users in the World.
In an age where the palm of our hand holds a portal to the world, the impact of smartphones on global society has been nothing short of revolutionary. Despite being lighter than a roll of quarters and occupying less space than a paperback book, the smartphone's role in shaping human interaction in the 21st century has been as dramatic as it is far-reaching. Various countries worldwide have amassed the highest number of smartphone users, utilizing these devices for tasks ranging from managing finances and providing personal assistants to serving as medical instruments.
The Role of Smartphones in Revolutionizing Industries
Modern smartphones, far more than just communication tools, are catalysts driving transformative changes across various industries. From serving as medical diagnostic tools to enhancing accessibility and education, their impact is reshaping the world.
In medicine, smartphones have enabled groundbreaking innovations. Speech analysis on mobile devices is revolutionizing Alzheimer's diagnosis through remote AI-based screening. Beyond healthcare, smartphones are enhancing accessibility. GPS-enabled devices with haptic technology offer tactile navigation for the blind.
Industries like agriculture, forestry, and health monitoring have also been revolutionized. Smartphones facilitate data collection, analysis, and communication, leading to smarter decision-making and more efficient processes.
Moreover, camera and sensor technologies embedded within smartphones are detecting heart health indicators, increasing individual healthcare empowerment. For example, ultrasound scanners linked to smartphones for real-time heart monitoring and blood pressure tracking via camera waves exemplify the ever-expanding potential.
The Global Smartphone Landscape
The smartphone industry has seen remarkable growth and innovation, characterized by wide market coverage and continuous technological progress. Year after year, there has been a steady increase in the number of countries with the most smartphone users. According to recent data, 7.33 billion people own either a cell phone or a smartphone, connecting a vast 91.40% of the global population through mobile networks.
In the domain of operating systems, Android has a significant force. As of 2023, android captures an impressive 70.93% share of the global smartphone market. On the other hand, iOS holds a considerable 28.37% of the market. Notably, Samsung is at the core of this major shift. During the third quarter of 2022, Samsung achieved a remarkable milestone by selling an impressive 64 million units globally. The trend continues, with forecasts suggesting a remarkable rise to about 270 million units sold in 2023.
Smartphones Lead the Way in Using the Internet
Based on findings from the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) and data provided by mobile trade body GSMA, an upcoming trend in internet behavior is evident. By 2025, an impressive 72.6% of internet users, amounting to almost 3.7 billion individuals, are projected to exclusively use smartphones to access the web. The surge in smartphone usage will be predominantly fueled by countries like China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan, shaping the future of online connectivity.
You must be curious about the country with the highest smartphone usage. We've got the answers and more coming up. Keep reading!
25 Countries with the Most Smartphone Users in the World
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Our Methodology
For our list of 25 countries with the most smartphone users in the world, we considered NEWZOO Smartphone Figures. The ranking criteria is solely based on the total number of smartphone users in each country. The countries were then ranked in ascending order based on their smartphone user base.
25 Countries With the Most Smartphone Users In The World
Following is the list of 25 countries with the most smartphone users in the world.
25. Myanmar
Total number of smartphone users: 12 million
Myanmar is a Southeast Asian nation and has seen substantial smartphone usage growth despite being less developed. With a high penetration rate, there were 73.48 million cellular mobile connections as of 2022. Despite its low development, affordable, fast, and reliable smartphones have been widely adopted across the country.
24. Venezuela
Total number of smartphone users: 13 million
In South America, Venezuela has a 38% smartphone penetration rate, with 13 million users. Popular brands like Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Apple Inc. (NASDQ:AAPL), and Motorola are widely used in the country.
23. South Africa
Total number of Smartphone users: 20 million
South Africa has a high smartphone penetration rate, counting 20 million users across the country. Samsung, Apple Inc. (NASDQ:AAPL), Huawei, Xiaomi, and Nokia are among the favored brands. Samsung dominates the market with a 48.26% share, making it the most popular brand in the country.
22. Nigeria
Total number of smartphone users: 26 million
In West Africa, Nigeria is home to an estimated 26 million smartphone users, with Tecno, Infinix, Apple Inc. (NASDQ:AAPL), and Samsung being popular brands. Tecno, a dominant Chinese brand, holds a 23.12% market share in Nigeria as of May 2023.
21. Bangladesh
Total number of smartphone users: 27 million
Bangladesh's smartphone usage has surged, with an estimated 62% of the population expected to own smartphones by 2025. There are around 27 million smartphone users. Samsung stands as a favored brand in Bangladesh, offering diverse models catering to various price points and features.
20. Egypt
Total number of smartphone users: 28 million
Egypt boasts a 45.9% smartphone penetration rate, with around 28 million users. Samsung holds the top spot as the leading mobile vendor with a 26% market share. Oppo and Apple are also prominent, while Xiaomi and Huawei are popular brands, offering competitive feature-rich smartphone models in the country.
19. Pakistan
Total number of smartphone users: 28 million
Pakistan is one of the countries with the most smartphone users in the world. Smartphone market is expanding, encompassing around 28 million users. Android prevails as the top operating system. This trend persists, with Samsung, Xiaomi, and Realme's Android-based smartphones gaining popularity. These brands cater to diverse Pakistani consumer needs and budgets with an array of devices at varying price points.
18. Iran
Total number of smartphone users: 29 million
With a smartphone penetration rate of approximately 40%, Iran had around 29 million smartphone users in 2021. Samsung takes the lead in the Middle Eastern market, holding 39% of all smartphones, followed by Huawei and Apple at 18% each, and Xiaomi at 6%.
17. Thailand
Total number of smartphone users: 30 million
Thailand enjoys a high smartphone penetration rate, with around 30 million smartphone users. The country's favorite smartphone brands include Samsung, Oppo, and Apple.
16. Turkey
Total number of smartphone users: 31 million
In Turkey, 49.1% of smartphone users are aged 18-24. By early 2023, there were 81.68 million mobile connections, covering 95.4% of the population. Samsung leads the Turkey market with a 36.5% share as of 2022. As for smartphones, there are approximately 31 million smartphone users across the country.
15. Italy
Total number of smartphone users:34 million
Italy is one of the top countries with the most smartphone users. It has an estimated 34 million smartphone users. Samsung and Apple dominate as the most popular smartphone brands in the country, with Samsung leading as the top vendor, closely followed by Apple with a significant market share.
14. South Korea
Total number of smartphone users: 35 million
South Korea has around 35 million smartphone users. Samsung dominates as the leading smartphone vendor in South Korea, commanding a market share of over 70%. Additionally, popular smartphone brands in the country include Apple, LG, and Xiaomi.
13. Vietnam
Total number of smartphone users: 36 million
Vietnam boasts a substantial smartphone user base, estimated at around 36 million individuals. The foremost smartphone brand in Vietnam is Samsung, accompanied by other well-received brands such as Apple, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo. These manufacturers present a diverse array of devices tailored to various price ranges and consumer inclinations.
12. Philippines
Total number of smartphone users: 48 million
The Philippines enjoys a high smartphone penetration rate, with an estimated 48 million users. Samsung leads the smartphone market with over 40% market share as of 2020. Additionally, other popular smartphone brands in the country are Oppo, Vivo, and Huawei.
11. France
Total number of smartphone users: 50 million
France boasts a high smartphone usage rate, counting approximately 50 million users. This surge has contributed to increased e-commerce transactions. In 2020, mobile e-commerce sales in the country amounted to €28.4 billion, representing 41% of total e-commerce sales.
10. United Kingdom
Total number of smartphone users: 55 million
Smartphone usage in the United Kingdom boasts an estimated 55 million users. These devices significantly influence online traffic, constituting 47.3% of it, underscoring their crucial role in online activities. Samsung stands as a prominent player in the UK's smartphone market, capturing approximately 30% of the market share as of 2021.
9. Mexico
Total number of smartphone users: 60 million
The count of smartphone users in Mexico has been steadily on the rise, reaching an estimated 60 million. Among mobile operating systems, Android dominates the market, holding a substantial share of around 77% as of April 2023. Following closely is iOS, the operating system utilized by Apple devices, securing a market share of approximately 22.6%.
8. Germany
Total number of smartphone users: 65 million
In Germany, the number of smartphone users stands at approximately 65 million. The top two smartphone brands in the country are Samsung and Apple. As of January 2023, Samsung's market share was 34%, while Apple held a higher market share of 40.4%.
