Smartphone reliance grows amid uneven broadband access

Most Americans now use the internet daily and own smartphones, according to new Pew Research Center data. Around four in ten adults describe their internet use as almost constant.

Broadband access remains widespread, yet sharp income gaps persist across the US. Just over half of households earning under $30,000 subscribe, compared with almost all higher earners.

Smartphone ownership is nearly universal, even among older age groups. Many lower-income and younger adults increasingly rely on phones as their primary internet connection.

Researchers say digital inequality remains a defining challenge despite technological progress. Policymakers face pressure to address affordability, access, and long-term digital inclusion nationwide.

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