Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Smartphones in the U.S. - statistics & facts
What would our life look like without a smartphone to call our friends with, listen to music, and scroll on social media on? Since its introduction, this device has become so important to the point that, today, we cannot imagine a day without it. The smartphone market in the United States is one of the largest in the world, with smartphone sales forecast to reach almost 110 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. If, in the past couple of years, the industry has seen a certain stagnation, manufacturers are now applying the latest tech innovations to the devices, offering consumers new models and software capabilities, such as foldables and AI smartphones.
The top position of Apple and Samsung in the country is also reflected in the mobile operating system market. Indeed, for over a decade, iOS and Android have been the dominating mobile operating systems in the country, leaving other providers far behind. However, it is Apple’s iOS that leads such market with a 60-percent share, a full 20 percentage points ahead of Android.
Looking ahead, smartphones are far from playing a less important role. Vendors will keep manufacturing new and improved devices in terms of shape, displays, software, and functionalities for consumers whose everyday life is heavily influenced by smartphones.
Apple and Samsung produce the most popular smartphones
Similarly to the rest of the world, Apple and Samsung are the industry leaders in the U.S. smartphone market. Together the two manufacturers account for more than 80 percent of smartphone unit sales in the country, while other vendors. like Motorola, hold much lower shares of the market. The Cupertino company is the strongest in its home market, with different iPhone models being the most popular smartphones among American consumers.The top position of Apple and Samsung in the country is also reflected in the mobile operating system market. Indeed, for over a decade, iOS and Android have been the dominating mobile operating systems in the country, leaving other providers far behind. However, it is Apple’s iOS that leads such market with a 60-percent share, a full 20 percentage points ahead of Android.
From 5G smartphones, to foldables, to AI smartphones: a new generation ahead
Over the past two decades, the number of smartphone users worldwide and in the U.S. has rocketed. As of 2024, the country counts over 310 million smartphone users and a smartphone penetration rate of over 96 percent. To keep the ever-growing number of consumers satisfied, vendors have been innovating their products and services, with the latest smartphone technologies varying from 5G network to foldable displays, to embedded AI functionalities. In particular, the share of 5G smartphones in the country has increased in recent years and Americans seemed keen to purchase a foldable as their next device.Looking ahead, smartphones are far from playing a less important role. Vendors will keep manufacturing new and improved devices in terms of shape, displays, software, and functionalities for consumers whose everyday life is heavily influenced by smartphones.
