9 in 10 Nigerians use Android-powered smartphones as of 2025 — report

A new study has found that about nine in ten Nigerians (88%) use Android-powered smartphones as of 2025, while Apple’s iOS holds the remaining 12%. This further proves Android smartphones’ dominance in the market.

The findings are according to a KPMG x Orange Group September 2026 report titled “Nigeria Smartphone Study: A Nationwide Analysis of Smartphone Ownership and Digital Application Usage“. The study gathered responses from over 13,000 active phone users.

Across 12 Nigerian cities, including Lagos, FCT Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Kano, the joint report also found that smartphone penetration stood at 75% in 2025, up from 64% in 2023. In contrast, feature phone users dropped from 36% to 28% in 2025, data that corroborates the continuous increase in internet penetration among Nigeria’s young population.

An internet user

The data comes at a time when internet penetration is fueled by technological exploration and changes in work. It’s a time when a phone without internet access is a mere telephone for making voice calls. From digital payments to social messaging apps, a mobile phone is now a workspace, especially for remote workers.

Industry data as of July 2026 shows that 157 million Nigerians, out of 195 million telecom users, can now access the internet. The surge in smartphone penetration shows how Nigerians continue to transition from feature phones.

Leading telecoms operators: MTN Nigeria holds the highest share of internet users at 84 million, while Airtel follows with nearly 59 million. Mike Adenuga-owned operator Globacom is third with 15.6 million, while T2mobile holds the smallest share of 810,010 internet users.

Also Read: KPMG, Orange Group launch Nigeria smartphone study as OPay, WhatsApp lead app rankings.

Smartphone ownership and Android’s affordability

The report shows that the 88% share of Android smartphone users cut across leading products such as Tecno, Infinix, Samsung, Itel and Xiaomi. Vivo, Nokia and Lenovo together captured 5% of Android users.

While popular products like Tecno (29% to 25%) and Infinix (26% to 24%) slipped in market share, the biggest winners are Samsung (10% to 12%), Itel (7% to 10%), and Xiaomi (3% to 8%). Apple’s iPhone market share dropped from 14% to 12%.

Smartphone Ownership (IM: KPMG x Orange Group 2025 Study)

However, Android’s dominance and iOS’s adoption are largely driven by affordability rather than consumer preference. Despite the fact that iOS devices continue to attract the market due to their premium offering, advanced camera capabilities and strong ecosystem integration, the pricing of these devices is a determinant, especially in low per capita income countries.

Not only does Android appeal to entry-level smartphones (explaining the competition among brands), but it also allows for extensive and flexible integration. Android allows for broad home screen layouts, custom launchers, alternative app stores, and deep file-system control. All of which appeal to users who want freedom over how their device looks and works.