A very high percentage of Australians own smartphones, with recent data from 2024 indicating around 97-98% penetration, making it a ubiquitous device for communication, entertainment, and daily tasks, with usage highest among younger demographics but rapidly growing in older age groups as well.
More than nine out of every ten Australians own a smartphone, and it's the first thing we take when we leave the house. Mobiles have become ubiquitous because of the value they provide to us as individuals.
Both iPhone and Android have users across genders but men lean more toward Android, while women slightly favor iPhones. While Android is the most popular choice globally, younger generations like Gen Zs and Millennials are still more likely to be iPhone adopters.
According to Telsyte's estimates, 8.6 million Australians use iPhones and 10.3 million are Android users, while another 400,000 use other platforms.
China is leading the ranking by number of smartphone users, recording ****** million users.
25 Countries With Lowest Number Of Smartphones Per Capita
Did you know the average person checks their phone 144 times a day?* That's a lot of distractions. Turning on features like “do not disturb” can help you stay focused,silence distraction and spend less time scrolling.
Based on the 2026 Android vs iOS market share on mobile devices, Android increased slightly from 2024 to reach 72.69%, with iOS holding steady at 26.91%. However, the global Android vs Apple market share for tablets tells a different story, with iOS slightly ahead at 50.72% and Android close behind at 49.08%.
Apple iPhone is currently Australia's most popular mobile phone brand, with as much as 28.38% market share. Samsung is a strong second at 24% share, while brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Realme are also making great strides.
Mobile OS breakdown in Australia: iOS 55.2%, Android 44.2%.
When analyzing the mobile habits of the affluent, the answer to “Which phone do most rich people use?” is overwhelmingly the iPhone. In the United States, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) consistently choose Apple, not just as a status symbol, but as a strategic choice for managing a complex, high-stakes lifestyle.
China Has The Highest Smartphone Addiction Rate
China also has the highest number of smartphone users globally, almost 1.5 times more than any other country. However, to control these alarming rates, China has introduced new regulations to reduce the internet addiction of the youth.
There's some debate about the average lifespan of smartphones. Many experts estimate that a smartphone will last around 2.5 years. Others believe that newer models might only last 15 to 18 months. In some cases, high-end flagship models can last up to 4 to 5 years.
Reuters reported that sales data highlights a rising trend in purchasing dumb phones. In 2024, feature phone sales in the UK reached 450,000 units, while sales across Western Europe increased by 4% from 2023, totaling 215 million units.
Key Takeaways
The best phone in Australia depends on your needs, with top contenders for overall excellence being the Apple iPhone 17 Pro for its power and camera, the Google Pixel 10 Pro for its AI and camera value, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for ultimate features and S Pen. For budget-conscious users, the Google Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy A36/A56 offer great value, while the iPhone 17 (base model) is a strong all-rounder for most people.
Older phones may not work at all in Australia. This includes 3G-only handsets, 4G phones that don't support the 700MHz band, 4G phones without VoLTE, and 4G VoLTE phones reliant on 3G for emergency calls.
With iOS, Things are easier, and apps usually much more robust. iOS has proven to be more secure than Android, longer security update support with older devices. Android does not even compare when it comes to these things. If you want a device to use as a reliable secure workhorse, choose iOS.
Flagship Androids (Samsung, Google Pixel) have a pretty long life but usually not that long as iPhones. Generally, mid-range and lower budget Android phones do not live long due to limited software support and lower durability.
According to Statcounter data, Apple controlled an estimated 58.42% of the US smartphone market in September 2025. Samsung ranked a distant second at 22.43%, despite wide distribution and huge marketing campaigns, including high-cost press events every year.
Health experts recommend spending no longer than two hours a day staring at a screen, but our research finds that people spend more than double that on their phones daily.
In 2024, it seems that our smartphones are becoming more integral to daily life than ever before. According to a new report from Reviews.org, the average American now checks their phone a staggering 205 times a day—marking a 42% increase compared to last year.
Strategies to reduce screen time