The main activities of smartphone use
Ahead of talking figures, it is important to note that the total figure for mobile phone owners vs. smartphone owners is a little higher. The term mobile phones cover phones that have no smart features.
It was estimated that in 2021 the total number of mobile phones owned by people was 7.10 billion, and 6.37 billion of that are smartphones. And the forecast is that by 2025 there will be 7.49 billion mobile phones in circulation, and 7.33 billion of that will be smartphones.
The current estimation is that 86.34% of the global population owns a smartphone. And that begs the question – what are we all doing with them?
Most likely, you’re reading this article on one or have one in your hand, ready to check social media or emails. Perhaps you’re in the middle of paying for something using Apple pay, or maybe you are Googling where to head out for food. The mobile phone has a million uses but some of them come out top.
Communication
With all of the memes that point out that people rarely use mobile phones and smartphones for making calls – they are now the number 1 method of communication for millions (well, billions) of people. Since we can carry them with us wherever we go, you can text, call, send an instant message, a Whatsapp, ping, IM, or an email any time of day or night.
Many years ago, the only way to communicate with family members, even if the situation was an emergency, was via the landline, and before that, it was posting a letter.
Now, you can be in touch with anyone you need, any time of day or night.
Entertainment
The smartphone is now one of the most used things when it comes to entertainment. Your favorite shows can be streamed, downloaded, and shared with friends. You can have listening parties with music apps like Spotify, and there are more mobile gaming apps than you can shake a stick at.
Because the smartphone is either in our hand or in our bag at any given time, they have enough battery to last for most commutes on public transport and even across the globe when it comes to travel.
Mobile gaming has been the biggest breakout of all of the different types of entertainment, and now we are even seeing mobile phones that are built for gaming on the go. Most players now access their favourite games on a smartphone device. Gaming providers have recognised this consumer attitude shift and ensured their games are mobile compatible. A great example of this are online casinos. Majority online casinos now have mobile compatible apps and sites for players to access instantly on a mobile device. By using a mobile device, players can also receive notifications of the latest free bets from casino providers and any upcoming jackpot games.
SatNav
We know that using our mobile phones while driving is a no-no. Mobile phone usage while driving is one of the most common causes of road traffic accidents. But, when used safely, mobile phones used for navigation have changed how people travel in automobiles.
Not only are the instructions on a screen that takes just a second to glance at, but they are announced, too, making it easier than ever to follow the instructions to get from A to B. Not only has it helped the driver, but smartphones have also meant that people can easily share their location for several hours so friends and family can keep track of them.
Gone are the days when trying to refold a map is going to be a requirement of a trip. Instead, all you’ll need to do is choose the best navigation app for you.
Finances
You no longer need a regular bank account from a brick-and-mortar establishment. Instead, you are free to use one of the many banking apps. They are linked to financial institutions and still regulated, but they exist entirely online. There has also been an increase in people using things like e-wallets (PayPal or Stripe, for example) to pay for goods, save money, and even get paid.
It is possible to manage all payments and balances just with a mobile phone. Not only that, but if you don’t want to carry a wallet with you or cash – almost all stores will accept being paid by Apple Pay or Google Pay.
It is also quick and effective to apply for a range of financial services too.
Work
The rise of freelancing, small businesses, and remote work has meant that mobile devices like laptops and tablets are commonly used for a large portion of the work. However, depending on what people do, it is possible to manage many different parts of the process just using a mobile phone.
Managing social media accounts, Team meetings, emails, schedule management, editing, calls, and many other parts of some freelancer positions can be handled on a mobile phone.
Applying and managing bids for projects through websites like Upwork or Fiverr is also possible via mobile phone with their dedicated mobile apps.
Education
Learning languages, reading, podcasts, research, and so much more are a big deal since smartphones are around. Language apps like Duolingo or Babbel offer short sessions to help people learn hundreds of different languages – and in some cases, for free.
There has also been a significant rise in the number of apps that are dedicated to short courses, delivering small amounts of information at a suitable time.
The mobile phone has a wide range of uses, but these are some of the most common – what do you use yours for the most?
With a solid foundation in technology, backed by a BIT degree, Lucas Noah has carved a niche for himself in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Currently lending his expertise to Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC, Lucas has become a... Read more