Report: Americans spend the most time per day on smartphones

SEATTLE — Americans are now spending an average of 4.7 hours a day on their smartphones — more than their counterparts in at least 11 countries around the world — according to a new monthly report from Informate, a privately held mobile measurement firm.



Informate’s Mobile Intelligence report that tracks and measures consumer use of smartphones in 12 countries. By the end of 2015, the report will expand to more than 25 developed and developing countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia, Australia, South Korea and Japan, to name a few.



"Smartphones are becoming the primary screen for consumers here in the U.S. and around the world," said Informate CEO Will Hodgman. "But, surprisingly, none of the traditional digital measurement firms have taken this unequivocal dynamic seriously outside of the U.S. and a few international countries. This is not a U.S. and developed country dynamic. It is a global sea change. That's a powerful new dimension that we bring to the table."



Overall Engagement: The report reveals that Americans are spending the most time per day on their smartphones at 4.7 hours. At the other end of the spectrum, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico are spending the least amount of time coming in at under two hours each.



Data Consumption: The report also reveals the United States as having the highest average rate of monthly data consumption at 20 gigabytes. Indonesia's average consumption measured the lowest at three gigabytes per month. The report also found that Indonesia had the highest share of cellular data traffic at 59% (and lowest WiFi at 41%) and that Mexico and Brazil had the lowest cellular data traffic at five percent (95% WiFi).



Apps Usage: Google properties represented at least six of the top 10 apps accessed across all markets. Facebook properties including FB Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram accounted for the rest. With regard to entertainment apps, video and media player genres had a higher reach as compared with radio and TV. Video apps usage was highest in Mexico. Music usage was highest in India. Radio and TV apps were most popular in the United States.



Data for the report was collected during December 2014 with the majority of panelists using Android devices.