Leslie Massey
Mobile phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, enabling us to stay connected, informed, and entertained. In Australia, mobile phone usage is widespread, with smartphones being the most popular type of mobile device. As of 2025, it was estimated that approximately 90% of Australians own a mobile device, with smartphone penetration rates expected to reach 87% by 2026. This high adoption rate has transformed the digital landscape in Australia and influenced the way people interact with technology and each other.
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What You'll Learn
Smartphone penetration rate
Australia has a high smartphone penetration rate, with rapid adoption of new technologies and advancements in mobile technology. In 2017, 81% of Australians used smartphones, and this number is expected to reach 87% by 2026, translating to over 23.6 million smartphone users. This increase is driven by factors such as the upcoming 2G network shutdown, the rise of 5G networks, and the integration of technologies like AI and eSIMs.
Smartphones have become an integral part of Australians' daily lives, offering convenience and connectivity. They are used for a wide range of tasks, including social media, messaging, digital payments, news, health tracking, and entertainment. According to a Deloitte survey, approximately 90% of Australians own a mobile device, and on average, they spend three hours a day using their smartphones for various purposes.
The smartphone market in Australia is dominated by Apple, with over half of all smartphones being Apple devices (60.9%), while Samsung holds a quarter of the market share (25.3%). iOS also maintains a significant presence, with a market share of over 50% for mobile operating systems.
Smartphone usage is prevalent across all age groups in Australia. Among teenagers, 91% of those between 14 and 17 years old owned a phone as of 2023. This high ownership rate among young people has raised concerns about online privacy, security, and exposure to potential harms. Additionally, 46% of children aged 6 to 13 used a mobile phone in 2020, with one-third owning their devices.
While smartphones offer numerous benefits, there are also downsides to their widespread use. Some Australians find mobile phones annoying or distracting, and 32% of smartphone users express increased stress and anxiety due to their mobile device usage. Additionally, excessive mobile phone usage has been linked to sleep disorders and negative impacts on cognitive abilities and attention regulation.
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Mobile phone usage among teens
According to a Deloitte survey, approximately 90% of Australians own a mobile device. Smartphone usage in Australia is high, with 81% of the population using smartphones in 2017, and this figure is expected to reach 87% by 2026, or 23.6 million people. This high smartphone penetration rate is likely due to the convenience and versatility of smartphones, which can be used for various tasks such as paying bills, booking appointments, playing games, taking photos, and staying connected with others.
Mobile phone usage among Australian teens is also prevalent, with 91% of young people between 14 and 17 years old owning a phone as of 2023. While smartphones offer many benefits to teens, such as improved social connection and convenience, there are also concerns about their privacy and security. A 2023 UK study found that teenagers often overestimate their ability to protect their personal information online, which can lead to potential risks when their phones share sensitive data such as identities and locations.
Australian teens primarily use their mobile phones for gaming, taking photos and videos, and using apps. From June 2018 to June 2020, there was an increase in the number of children using their mobile phones to communicate with family and friends. This trend towards greater mobile usage among teens is also reflected in the rise of wearable mobile devices for health monitoring, with 18% of Australians adopting these technologies.
While smartphones offer numerous advantages, there are mixed opinions about their impact. Some Australians find mobile phones annoying or distracting, and 32% of smartphone users feel that their devices increase stress and anxiety. However, two-thirds of Australians consider mobile phones helpful in their daily lives, and nearly half believe they provide freedom and peace of mind in case of emergencies.
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Mobile phone usage among children
The most common reasons for children to use their phones are playing games (70%), taking photos (67%), using apps (64%), and calling family (57%). Other uses include listening to music (57%), sending or receiving texts (55%), watching live TV (45%), and streaming movies and TV series (23%).
There is a gender difference in mobile phone usage among children, with 50% of girls owning or having access to a mobile phone compared to 46% of boys.
The increasing availability and sophistication of mobile phones have made them essential tools for many Australians, with two-thirds considering them helpful in their daily lives and nearly half saying they provide freedom. Smartphones also provide peace of mind and security, allowing users to make emergency calls, stay connected, and access the internet whenever and wherever.
However, not everyone views the increasing use of mobile phones positively. Some people find them annoying or distracting, and 32% of Australian smartphone users say that mobile devices increase their stress and anxiety.
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Mobile phone usage for entertainment
Mobile phone usage is high in Australia, with around 90% of Australians owning a mobile device. The country is at the forefront of advancing technologies, including mobile phones, eSIMs, and other devices. In 2017, the number of smartphone users in Australia was around 19.9 million, and this number is expected to increase to 23.6 million by 2026, representing an 87% smartphone penetration rate.
Australians use their smartphones for a variety of tasks and purposes, including entertainment. Mobile phones have become an all-in-one device, used for watching live TV, streaming movies and TV series, playing games, taking photos and videos, using apps, and more. As of March 2025, Australians spent an average of 2.58 hours daily on their mobile phones, with females spending more time on their phones than males.
Entertainment is a significant aspect of mobile phone usage in Australia. According to statistics, 45% of Australians use their mobile phones to watch live TV, and 23% use them for streaming movies and TV series. These numbers are expected to increase as mobile phones become more integrated into daily life. The convenience of accessing entertainment on mobile devices, such as streaming services, has made them a popular choice for Australians.
The integration of 5G and AI into mobile devices further enhances their entertainment capabilities. Faster internet speeds and improved streaming quality make mobile phones a preferred option for watching videos, listening to music, and engaging in other entertainment activities. Additionally, the portability of smartphones allows users to access entertainment content on the go, contributing to their popularity for entertainment purposes.
The use of mobile phones for entertainment is particularly prevalent among younger generations, who rely on their devices for various purposes, including entertainment, communication, and education. The availability of sophisticated apps and faster internet speeds, such as the Australian NBN, has made mobile devices even more engaging for young people. However, it is important to note that there is growing awareness of the negative effects of excessive screen time, which may lead to individuals becoming more mindful of their usage.
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Mobile phone usage for health tracking
Mobile phone usage in Australia has been steadily increasing over the years, with approximately 90% of Australians owning a mobile device as of 2024. This high mobile penetration rate has led to smartphones becoming an integral part of people's daily lives, with various functions beyond just making phone calls. One significant use of smartphones is health tracking and monitoring.
Around 18% of Australians have adopted wearable mobile devices to monitor their health and track their fitness journey. These devices can include smartwatches, fitness trackers, and even smartphones with built-in health features. These devices allow users to track their physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and other health metrics, providing valuable insights and helping them achieve their fitness goals.
Mobile health applications have also gained popularity in Australia, with 32% of respondents in a 2020 survey indicating they use health apps on their mobile devices or tablets. This number was almost 50% in 2018, showing a slight decline, possibly due to privacy and security concerns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government introduced the 'COVIDSafe' app, utilizing smartphone tracking technology to anonymously register nearby contacts of infected individuals. This public health initiative leveraged the widespread use of mobile phones for health tracking to help contain the spread of the virus.
The convenience and portability of smartphones have made them essential tools for health monitoring and management. With constant technological advancements, such as 5G and improved mobile broadband, the integration of health tracking into mobile devices will likely become even more prevalent in Australia, offering new opportunities for personal health management and remote healthcare solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a 2023 survey, 91% of young people between 14 and 17 years old owned a phone. In 2020, 46% of Australian children aged 6 to 13 used a mobile phone, and one-third owned the phone they used. A Deloitte survey showed that approximately 90% of Australians possess a mobile device.
In 2017, the smartphone penetration rate in Australia was around 81%. This number is expected to increase to 87% by 2026, representing over 23.6 million smartphone users.
A large proportion of Australians use smartphones for social media and messaging apps. In 2017, it was estimated that nearly half of Australians used the more advanced features of their phones, such as mobile email and internet browsing.
There are concerns about the impact of excessive mobile phone usage on sleep and health. Additionally, there are privacy and security concerns, especially for young people, as smartphones can communicate sensitive information when settings are not configured correctly.
As of 2025, 27% of Australians were already using 5G, and 44% planned to switch to 5G that year.
