U.S. Smartphone Use in 2015

Use of Smartphones for Social Media, Video Watching, and Music/Podcasts is Especially Common Among Young Users

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U.S. Smartphone Use in 2015

7% of Americans Rely Heavily on a Smartphone for Online Access

Smartphone Ownership is Often Most Tenuous for Those Who Rely on Their Devices the Most

More than Half of Smartphone Owners Have Used Their Phone to get Health Information, do Online Banking

Despite Clear Benefits, 54% of Smartphone Owners Say Their Phone is “Not Always Needed”—but 46% Say it is Something They “Couldn’t Live Without”

Some Features are Popular With a Broad Spectrum of Smartphone Owners; Social Networking, Watching Video, and Music/Podcasts are Especially Popular Among Young Users

Younger Users More Likely to Use Their Phone for Preventing Boredom, Avoiding Others, Getting Somewhere

Smartphone Ownership Highest Among Young Adults, Those With High Income/Education Levels

How Much Smartphone Owners Pay for Service

Lower-income and Minority Smartphone Owners are Especially Likely to Have Canceled or Cut Off Service

Many Smartphone Owners Experience Higher Than Expected Bills, Reaching of Data Caps

Young Adults, Non-Whites, Lower Income Americans are Especially Dependent on Smartphones for Online Access

Smartphone Ownership is Often Most Tenuous for Those Who Rely on Their Devices the Most

More Than Half of Smartphone Owners Have Used Their Phone to Get Health Information or Do Online Banking

Lower-income Smartphone Owners Much More Likely to Use Their Phone for Job Seeking

Young Adults Rely Heavily on Their Smartphones for Job Seeking, Educational Content, and Health Information

Young Adults are Especially Likely to Use Their Phone for Navigation – Either by Car, Public Transit, or Taxi

How Smartphones Help in Emergencies

What People Have Trouble Doing Without Their Smartphones

Despite Clear Benefits, 54% of Smartphone Owners Say Their Phone is “Not Always Needed”—but 46% Say it is Something They “Couldn’t Live Without”

Pricier Smartphone Plans More Likely to be Seen as a Financial Burden

Text Messaging, Voice/Video Calls, Internet, Email Rank Among Most Popular Smartphone Features

Text Messaging, Internet, Email, and Voice/Video Calls are Widely-Used by Smartphone Owners of Many Ages

Use of Smartphones for Social Media, Video Watching, and Music/Podcasts is Especially Common Among Young Users

Smartphones Used Frequently at Home and in Transit, Less Often While Exercising

Coordinating With Others, Avoiding Boredom, and Reminders are Among the Most Common Problems Smartphones Help Address

Younger Smartphone Owners More Likely to Use Their Phone for Preventing Boredom, Avoiding Others, Getting Somewhere

Smartphone-Related Emotions — but Many Feel “Distracted” and “Frustrated” as Well

For Younger Adults, Smartphones Inspire a Range of Emotions — from Happy and Grateful, to Distracted and Frustrated

December Week 1 Sample Disposition

December Week 3 Sample Disposition

unweighted sample sizes

Survey Administration Contacts

the unweighted sample sizes and the error attributable to sampling

Young Adults are Especially Likely to Use Their Phone for Navigation — Either by Car, Public Transit, or Taxi

64% of American adults now own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011.

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Use of Smartphones for Social Media, Video Watching, and Music/Podcasts is Especially Common Among Young Users

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