More people in the US are using smartphones now than ever before
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That's nearly two-thirds of Americans, and a huge jump from the 35% that owned smartphones in 2011.
The report also highlights that some Americans are relying on their smartphone's data plan for internet access, stating that "10% of Americans own a smartphone but do not have broadband at home, and 15% own a smartphone but say they have a limited number of options for going online other than their cell phone."
This means that more people than ever are relying on their smartphones as a key access point to online services and entertainment, and 7% of Americans say they "rely heavily" on their smartphone for online access.
While more and more people are opting to ditch broadband internet for their cell phone's data plan, the cost of smartphone plans have become a burden for nearly half of Americans - 48% admitted they had cancelled or shut off their cell phone service at least temporarily "because the cost of maintaining that service was a financial hardship."
Smartphone owners are also divided on whether or not they truly need their smartphones, with 54% of Americans saying their smartphone is "not always needed" while 46% admitting they "couldn't live without" their smartphone.
For a deeper dive into the Pew Research Center's 2015 U.S. Smartphone Use report, click here.
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