Skip to main content

iPhones Account for Spike in Wi-Fi Traffic

iPhones Account for Spike in Wi-Fi Traffic

Considering that Apple now holds nearly 13 percent of the smartphone market, it should come as little surprise that iPhone users now account for a lot of traffic on the Web – but the sheer volume of browsing done with the little phones is still surprising. According to new data (PDF) from AdMob, the iPhone accounts for over half of all mobile-phone-based Wi-Fi traffic.

The company compiled data from ad requests sent to servers all over the world and determined that Wi-Fi use has not only increased overall, but that iPhone users account for a significant portion of it. Total requests from Wi-Fi networks jumped from just 3 percent in August to 8 percent in November – and the amount of that traffic that came from mobile phones also doubled in that time, from 9 percent to 19 percent.  Of that rather large piece of the pie, the lion’s share – 50.6 percent – was generated by one device: the iPhone.

Other interesting findings indicate that iPhone users are far more likely than other phone users to take advantage of their phones’ Wi-Fi capabilities. Forty-two percent of ad requests on the iPhone went through Wi-Fi connections, compared to just 10 to 20 percent on other Wi-Fi-enabled phones.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Mokey
As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…
Does the iPhone 15 have an overheating problem? Here’s what we know
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera module.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Last fall, Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series, which generated a lot of excitement among consumers. However, some users who got their hands on the devices early on expressed dissatisfaction by taking to social media to complain about overheating issues.

Read more
I just got one of 2024’s most interesting phones. Here are 5 things I can’t wait to try
A person holding the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is one of 2024’s most interesting new Android smartphones, not least because of the massive camera bump on the back. It also has a number of great features inside — plus a very intriguing accessory kit you can get for the phone.

I recently put my SIM card in the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, ready to fully review it over the coming days. Here are the things I’m looking forward to the most about it.
Leica’s black-and-white filters

Read more
Your iPhone just got a new iOS update, and you should download it right now
iPhone 15 Pro display with iPhone 15 Pro Max in background.

Apple has just released a new security update, iOS 17.4.1. This comes a little over two weeks after iOS 17.4, which was a big update. iOS 17.4.1 doesn't add any new features, but it's still an important update you'll want to download as soon as you can.

With iOS 17.4.1, Apple states that the update “provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.” Apple doesn’t mention any specifics of these bug fixes, but more details on what this security update addresses may be revealed at a later date.

Read more