Calls and Texts No Longer the Main Use for Mobile Phones for Most Young Aussies, Samsung Research Finds

Samsung Electronics Australia has released new research around how Australians are using their smartphones. According to this data, less than a quarter (22%) of Australians aged 18-24 use their smartphone primarily for calls and texts, compared to almost 80% of Australians aged 55 and over, highlighting a significant generational shift in how Australians use mobile technology.

The findings reflect a broad shift in behaviour over the past seven years since Samsung released its first foldable phone, with the proportion of Australians using their smartphone primarily for calls and texts declining from 67% in 2019 to 53% in 2026. As smartphones become increasingly central to work, entertainment, creativity and everyday life, Australians are demanding more than ever from their devices.

The research also found that social media recorded the largest increase in share as a primary smartphone use, rising from 17% in 2019 to 24% in 2026, while smartphone use for work and productivity increased by almost 50% over the same period.

“In just seven years, Australians have shifted from using smartphones primarily to call and text to relying on them as all-in-one tools for work, payments, navigation, social connection and AI-powered assistance. The smartphone has evolved from a communication device into a digital life hub”, says Gary Mortimer, Queensland University of Technology, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour.

Key Findings:

• Only 22% of Australians aged 18-24 use their smartphone primarily for calls and texts. Calls and texts as a smartphone’s primary use have fallen from 67% in 2019 to 53% in 2026
• Social media is the fastest-growing primary smartphone use, increasing from 17% to 24%
• Smartphone use for work and productivity has grown by almost 50%
• 60% of Australians say smartphone productivity is more important today than it was in 2019
• 63% say photography is a more important smartphone capability today than it was in 2019
• 44% say replacing their wallet, keys and ID is the most important smartphone innovation they didn’t know they needed seven years ago

The findings also help explain the growing appeal of foldable smartphones. As Australians have increasingly relied on their smartphones for far more than calls and texts, Samsung has continued to evolve its foldable category to meet changing consumer needs.

Seven years after introducing Australia’s first foldable smartphone, Samsung’s eighth generation foldable portfolio includes three different foldable form factors, a foldable for every kind of user. With the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, Samsung provides Australians with three distinct options designed to support different lifestyles and behaviours, from productivity and multitasking to content creation and entertainment.

For more information about the Galaxy Z8 series, please visit: Samsung Australia Newsroom or Samsung.com.au

Research conducted in September 2026 by PureProfile behalf of Samsung Electronics Australia on a sample of 1092 Australians in the last 12 months.