This statistic shows a comparison of the share of survey respondents who owned a mobile phone compared to the share who specifically owned a smartphone, differentiated by generation. Through this online survey a clear pattern was found that people from older generations were less likely to own a smartphone, or a mobile phone in general. Only 16 percent of those from the Golden Generation reported owning a smartphone.
Mobile phone vs smartphone penetration in the United States in 2012, by generation
Total U.S. online adults = 57,499 <br>U.S. online adults with a mobile phone = 53,427
Age group
18 years and older
Method of interview
Online survey
Supplementary notes
The source does not provide information about the date of the survey.
* Taken from the share of online adults
** Taken from the share of online adults who also owned a mobile phone
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ReadWrite. (December 27, 2012). Mobile phone vs smartphone penetration in the United States in 2012, by generation [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/250608/mobile-phone-vs-smartphone-penetration-in-the-us-by-generation/
ReadWrite. "Mobile phone vs smartphone penetration in the United States in 2012, by generation." Chart. December 27, 2012. Statista. Accessed January 10, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/250608/mobile-phone-vs-smartphone-penetration-in-the-us-by-generation/
ReadWrite. (2012). Mobile phone vs smartphone penetration in the United States in 2012, by generation. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: January 10, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/250608/mobile-phone-vs-smartphone-penetration-in-the-us-by-generation/
ReadWrite. "Mobile Phone Vs Smartphone Penetration in The United States in 2012, by Generation." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Dec 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/250608/mobile-phone-vs-smartphone-penetration-in-the-us-by-generation/
ReadWrite, Mobile phone vs smartphone penetration in the United States in 2012, by generation Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/250608/mobile-phone-vs-smartphone-penetration-in-the-us-by-generation/ (last visited January 10, 2025)
Mobile phone vs smartphone penetration in the United States in 2012, by generation [Graph], ReadWrite, December 27, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/250608/mobile-phone-vs-smartphone-penetration-in-the-us-by-generation/