GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd March. In recent years, the ubiquitous presence of smartphones has become a defining feature of modern life. With the convenience of online connectivity, a significant portion of the global population finds themselves increasingly tethered to their devices. From the moment their eyes open to the first light of morning, to the final moments before sleep, smartphones dominate daily routines. This growing dependence has raised concerns worldwide about the pervasive nature of smartphone addiction.
About 84% of smartphone users in Bharat check their phones within 15 minutes of waking up in the morning. This shocking revelation has been made in the report of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). But this is not the only thing to worry about. The report also shows that even while walking, humans spend 31% of their time on smartphones. The surprising thing is that we check our phones an average of 80 times a day. Half of the time we spend on our smartphones is just for watching streaming content.
As per the report, the phone usage in 2010 was limited to two hours, but by 2023, it had increased to approximately 4.9 hours. This statistic makes us question whether our obsession with smartphones has gone too far. This shift has not only occurred over time, but there has also been a significant shift in phone usage habits.
2010 saw a 100% increase in the amount of time spent chatting, texting, or calling friends and family. However, in 2023, we only dedicate 20–25% of our time to this. You know the rest of the time: social media, videos, online gaming, and conversation. Saying that the digital world has ensnared us would not be incorrect.
How do you use your smartphone?
Bharatiya spends about 4.9 hours on smartphones every day. According to the report, more than half 50-55% of the time i.e. about 2.5 hours every day is spent by users in watching streaming content like OTT, reels, videos. 20-25% of the time i.e. about one hour is spent on calls, texts, emails, social media and dating apps.
Every day, people spend 7-9% of their time, or roughly 30 minutes, looking up jobs, travel, home décor, and recipes.
6-8% of the time, or roughly 20 minutes, is spent gaming, and 5-7% of the time, or 18 minutes, is spent shopping.
Ten minutes, or 3-4% of the time, are spent on trading and banking online.
On a mobile device, reading news takes about three minutes
Less than three minutes a day should be dedicated to online learning or skill development.
Compared to those over 35, young people between the ages of 18 and 24 spend the most time watching short videos, such as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. The study also reveals that, out of habit, we answer the phone more frequently than is necessary every other time.
What is the purpose of picking up the smartphone every time?
Ever take note of how frequently you use your smartphone during the day? Furthermore, does raising it each time serve a specific purpose or is it merely a matter of habit? The report claims that we pick up the phone mindlessly every second. When consumers pick up the phone, 45–50% of them are aware of their goal. In 5-10% of cases, users answer the phone when they have critical work that needs to be done but is unclear. 45-50% of the time there is no specific purpose while picking up the phone. Just out of habit I reached into my pocket or picked up the phone casually and started checking. These figures show how much the smartphone has become a part of our lives. Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes entertainment, sometimes habit, we keep revolving around it every moment.
Bharat is ranked third globally
When it comes to smartphone usage, Bharat comes in third place worldwide. Brazilians own the most mobile phones worldwide, according to a JDNet report. An average of 5.4 hours is spent using mobile phones daily by people in this area. Indonesia comes in second, with a daily mobile usage rate of 5.3 hours.
Nations with the highest smartphone usage rates
Bharat: 4.9 hours; Brazil: 5.4 hours; Indonesia: 5.3 hours
Korea, South – 4.8 hours
Mexico: Four and a half hours
Turkey: four and a half hours
Japan: Four and a half hours
Canada: 4.1 hours
United States: 3.9 hours
UK: 3.8 hours
How many smartphones are sold in Bharat each year?
In 2022, the smartphone market in Bharat was underwhelming. The International Data Corporation (IDC) reported that in 2022, 144 million (14.4 crore) smartphone devices were sold. This was the lowest sale amount since 2019 and was 10% lower than the previous year. The final quarter of 2022 showed an even bigger drop. Only 30 million (3 crore) units could be sold, a 27 percent decline. In 2022, the market for 5G smartphones shrank as well. Sales of 5G smartphones totaled 50 million units, with an average selling price (ASP) dropping from $431 in 2021 to $395 in 2022.
Market for high-end smartphones is expanding
The smartphone market in Bharat is evolving. People are willing to pay a little bit extra for premium features and an improved experience than they did in the past when the majority of phones were inexpensive and accessible. Small cities are also witnessing similar changes. Every year, the percentage of expensive premium smartphones sold that cost more than Rs 30,000 exceeds 40%. According to Ranjit Babu, Director of Amazon India, 70% of smartphone sales on the platform take place outside of Tier 1 cities. This indicates that small cities’ markets for smartphone purchases made online are expanding quickly. The ability to exchange an old phone, buy now and pay later plans, and easy instalment (EMI) options are what have caused a significant shift in the market. Currently, about 35-40% of smartphones in the country are being sold through such easy financing schemes.
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