Smart Phone Users Spent 5.3 Trillion Hours on Their Devices in 2025

If it feels like everyone has their eyes glued to a screen these days, the data confirms you aren't imagining it. In fact, 2025 set a new record for just how much of our lives we spend tapping, scrolling, and swiping.

A fresh report from mobile analytics firm Sensor Tower, the State of Mobile 2026, reveals that global smartphone users spent a massive 5.3 trillion hours on their devices last year. That’s a 3.8% jump from the year before. To put that in perspective, the average person now spends over 3.6 hours a day online via mobile. That is roughly 13 minutes of every single waking hour spent looking at a phone.

While global giants like India and the US continue to dominate, there is a fascinating shift happening closer to home. Nigeria has firmly secured its spot among the global elite for mobile engagement, signaling a massive deepening of our digital culture.

How We Spent Our Time in 2025

The numbers tell a story of stabilization rather than explosive new adoption. Most people who want a smartphone already have one. Now, the growth comes from depth of usage—how much we rely on these devices for everything from entertainment to productivity.

Social media remains the undisputed champion of attention. Users poured nearly 2.5 trillion hours into social platforms across Android and iOS. That averages out to more than 90 minutes every single day for every person.

But the biggest surprise wasn't social media; it was Artificial Intelligence. AI assistants are no longer just a novelty. They have surged into the mainstream, crashing into the top 10 subgenres for time spent. This category saw a staggering 426% growth year-on-year. It seems we are moving past just "browsing" the web to having our phones actively do things for us.

The Top 10 Countries by Mobile Usage

The leaderboard for mobile engagement in 2025 features the usual heavy hitters, but the movement within the ranks is telling. India remains the undisputed heavyweight champion, driven by affordable data and a massive population.

Nigeria’s Digital Surge

Seeing Nigeria on this list is a big deal. With 129 billion hours spent on mobile devices, up significantly from 110 billion the previous year, the country is cementing its status as a digital powerhouse in Africa.

This growth isn't just about people chatting. It reflects a shift in how Nigerians consume media, handle banking, and run businesses. With the "hustle" moving increasingly online, mobile data is becoming as essential as electricity. It is no wonder we see rising demand for affordable data plans and digital services.

The Apps Winning Our Attention

It wasn't just about how much time we spent, but where we spent it. In 2025, utility and intelligence won over pure entertainment in terms of growth.

While we downloaded 149 billion new apps (a modest 0.8% rise), we are engaging more deeply with the ones we have. The average user now juggles about 34 different apps every month.

Top Apps by Growth (Time Spent)

• ChatGPT: +426% (The runaway leader)
• WhatsApp Business: +14% (Critical for SMEs)
• Google Pay: +13% (Digital finance is king)
• POCO Launcher 2.0: +11%
• Clock: +9%

The dominance of WhatsApp Business at number two is particularly relevant for markets like Nigeria, where commerce often happens in the DMs. Meanwhile, the explosion of ChatGPT shows that AI tools are quickly becoming daily utilities for work and study.

Where the Money Is: App Revenue

Usage is plateauing slightly in some mature markets, but spending is accelerating. Mobile publishers are getting better at monetization, and users are getting more comfortable paying for premium experiences.

Global in-app purchase revenue hit $167 billion in 2025, a 10.6% increase. Who is spending the most? The United States leads the pack with $59 billion, followed by China ($22.1B) and Japan ($16.8B).

Interestingly, the revenue drivers mirror the usage trends. ChatGPT led the revenue growth charge with a massive 254% jump. Other big earners included ReelShort (+115%) and video editing tool CapCut (+71%), proving that content creation and consumption are still huge money makers.

Final Thoughts

2025 was the year mobile stabilized in volume but matured in value. We aren't just scrolling aimlessly as much—we are using our phones to work smarter (thanks to AI), sell better (via WhatsApp Business), and manage our finances. For Nigeria, entering the top 10 global rankings is a testament to the nation's vibrant, mobile-first economy.