Italian
In 2028, the number of smartphones in the world will exceed that of human beings, reaching and surpassing 8.5 billion active devices. This data, confirmed by industry analysis and official projections, represents a turning point in the history of mobile technology. In fact, it reflects a process of accelerated diffusion that has few precedents in the recent history of innovation and hi-tech in general.
The exponential spread of smartphones
Starting in 2020, smartphone growth has exceeded that of the global population by a factor of four. Each year, the global population has increased by around 72 million people, while the number of mobile devices has grown exponentially. Between 2020 and 2025, approximately 1.5 billion smartphones were added, bringing the global total to 7.42 billion units in 2025. This pace of expansion, moreover, shows no sign of slowing down. According to estimates, the symbolic threshold of surpassing the number of people will be reached as early as 2027.
There are several reasons behind this real “invasion”. Smartphones are now used for many online activities, from online shopping to information and entertainment. Mobile phones represent an indispensable device even for online gaming enthusiasts. Reference is made not only to classic apps, but also to best real money slots, and gambling in general. Not to mention other activities such as streaming multimedia content (video and audio).
Returning to the numbers, the peak of annual sales was recorded in 2017 (over a billion devices in twelve months). Since then, annual sales have experienced a slowdown, but without affecting the progressive growth of this market. Despite the slowdown, the overall number of mobile devices continues to rise, for a reason that many already know: the frequency with which users upgrade their models, also due to the phenomenon of the so-called planned obsolescence.
Finally, between 2020 and 2024, a total of 2.3 trillion dollars were spent in this sector: a figure that is equivalent to 2.7% of the global gross domestic product. This is another significant data point that quantifies, in numerical terms, the success of these devices.
The other determining factors
The technological evolution of the Internet has played a crucial role in the success of smartphones. The introduction of 5G has indeed encouraged the purchase of new devices, both in industrialized countries and in developing economies. The new mobile networks require a compatible smartphone, which drives people towards buying the latest generation models. At the same time, the integration of artificial intelligence and the improvement of camera performance have made phones an increasingly powerful and versatile tool, even at a professional level.
Another determining factor was the following: the boom in production of low-cost and budget smartphones. Many companies have invested in developing low-cost models, aimed at making smartphones more accessible to disadvantaged groups. This process has obviously expanded the user base and greatly increased demand, making a fundamental contribution to the boom in mobile phones.
