Main uses of smartphones

• People over 65 are the age group with the lowest percentage of smartphone users, although it still reaches 94%.

Since the birth of the smartphone in the 1990s, this type of mobile device has evolved enormously, not to mention the huge differences (literally in size and metaphorically in performance) compared to the first mobile phone.

We use them every day for many hours, but how can we define these devices?

What is a smartphone?

When asked what a smartphone is and what it is used for, we could refer to the definition in the Pan-Hispanic Dictionary of Doubts: ‘a mobile device that offers advanced communications services (internet access and email), as well as calendar and personal organiser services with a higher degree of connectivity than a conventional mobile device’.

We will focus the rest of this article on the variety of uses, as well as other issues such as how much time is spent on them.

How many people in the world have a smartphone?

According to data from the Digital 2026 report by We are social, 97.4% of the world’s population has a smartphone.

If we break down this data by age group, we see that the only segment in which the percentage is below 97% is the over-65s, where it stands at 94.5%.

The highest percentage is found in the 45-54 age group (97.9%) and the 34-44 age group (97.8%), slightly ahead of the 16-34 age group, where 97.3% is slightly above the 97% in the 55-64 age group.

In summary, we can see few differences between the different age groups, except for those over 65, although the percentage remains significant.

What are the main uses of smartphones?

Smartphones have numerous uses, the most notable of which—and the only one exceeding 90%—is the consumption of any type of online video, at 91.1%.

Behind this, with 88.1% usage, are social networks, a phenomenon that has developed in parallel with smartphones, with both emerging in the same decade: the 1990s, with the first social network dating back to 1997.

The third use of smartphones is closely related to the first two, as it involves the consumption of short videos, which are very common on some social networks. 86.9% of users consume them.

The next most common use, at 85.5%, is television consumption, followed by newspaper consumption, at 81.2%.

These five uses are the only ones that exceed 80% of users.

How much time do people spend using their smartphones for each use, in days per week?

If we consider the variable of time of use depending on what it is used for, we see that there are differences.

In terms of weekly consumption, social media is used on 4.21 days, slightly above the 4.15 days on which short videos are consumed.

Long videos are consumed on 3.28 days per week, followed by music streaming (3.02 days) and online newspapers (3.01 days).

How much time do people spend using their smartphones for each activity, in hours per week?

If we consider weekly hours, we see that it differs from the weekly days of use.

In this case, the aggregate consumption of short and long videos accounts for 11.5 hours of weekly use, ahead of television consumption, which reaches 9 hours and 56 minutes.

Far behind is social media use, with 7 hours and 6 minutes, closely followed by video games (6 hours and 56 minutes) and short videos, with 6 hours and 39 minutes.

Movistar smartphones

Movistar offers a wide variety of smartphones (in Spanish) that, depending on the needs of each user, can be adapted to the most suitable range depending on the usage profile.

From high-end models, which may be necessary for those who need maximum performance for photos, videos or games, to basic models, for those who prioritise calls, messaging and long battery life, to mid-range models with optimised RAM, good battery life and quality screens at competitive prices.

Purchasing these types of devices with Movistar offers a number of exclusive benefits, such as interest-free financing, fast delivery (or in-store collection), an official warranty and personalised technical support.

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