Is Having a Smartphone a Requirement in 2022 ?

prof. Dr. Ritesh Srivasrava
For more and more people, the answer is yes
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For many people a Smartphone is indispensable—as necessary as food and
water. Others, however, may not see the appeal. According to CNBC, for
example, Warren Buffett used a flip phone for years before finally upgrading
to an I Phone in 2020. This raises an important question: Is a Smartphone a
necessity in 2022? There are several strong arguments to be made in favor
of smart phones as a requirement, though affording one may not be realistic
for everyone.
Key Takeaways
 An estimated 85% of Americans use a Smartphone, according to Pew
Research.
 Smartphone’s can be necessary for a variety of reasons, ranging from
online security to gaining entry to beaches and other recreational
areas to riding public transportation.
 Owning a Smartphone may be challenging for lower-income
households, though there are programs that can provide financial
assistance.
 As more people live digitally, it stands to reason that smart phones will
only become more important in the future.
Smartphone Ownership and Use
Smartphone ownership has grown tremendously over the past decade.
According to the Pew Research Center, 35% of Americans owned a
smartphone in 2011, and that figure grew to 85% by 2021.1
Men and women tend to own smart phones in equal numbers, though
Americans under 65 are more likely to have one. Ninety-six percent of young

adults aged 18 to 29 own a Smartphone, versus 61% of adults aged 65 or
older. Smartphone users also tend to live in urban areas (rather than
suburban or rural), have a college degree, and make $75,000 a year or
more.1
So for what, exactly, are people using their smart phones? Some of the most
common uses include:2
 Checking social media
 Playing games or using other apps
 Making phone calls or texting
Aside from that, people can also use smart phones to pay bills, check bank
account balances, manage their budgets, send money to friends and family,
and shop online at their favorite stores. The typical person checks their
phone every five minutes, and 75.4% of Americans consider themselves to
be addicted to their phones.2 Still, does that mean they’re necessary?
15%
The percentage of Americans who rely on their Smartphone as their only
source of internet access at home, according to the Pew Research Center1
The Case for Smartphone’s as a Requirement
It’s easy to say that smart phones are a luxury rather than a necessity. After
all, people managed to live without them for centuries. Nevertheless, that
dismisses a number of changes that have taken place in how people work
and live.
Smartphone’s in the workplace
The increasingly digital nature of the workplace presents the first example of
why smart phones should be considered a requirement rather than an
option. As more companies use cloud technology to store information and
online platforms to keep workers connected, it presents a need for enhanced
security protections. Innovations such as two-factor authentication (2FA),
also known as “multifactor authentication (MFA),” make that possible. MFA
allows employees, including remote workers, to securely access digital
platforms by entering a code, and a key requirement for using it is a
Smartphone.
Employees who are interested in remote work and independent contractors
who work from home will likely need smart phones. Security aside, smart

phones can also be vital for staying connected with work through messaging
apps or tools such as Zoom.
If your employer requires you to have a Smartphone for work that you pay
for, ask whether any of those expenses are reimbursable.
Smartphones for recreation and travel
Smartphone’s could also be considered a requirement if you travel or engage
in recreational activities. For example, the state of New Jersey now issues
beach access badges through the Viply app. This allows travelers and
tourists to bypass otherwise long wait lines to get seasonal, daily, or weekly
beach passes.3
Disney World visitors can download an app that allows them to reserve and
pay for contactless dining, navigate the park, and access Magic Band
features. The app also features direct-to-room services when staying at
Disney Resort Hotels.4
Aside from those types of apps, there are other apps that can make travel
easier. For example, if you’re catching a flight, your airline may give you the
option to download a mobile boarding pass so you can skip the check-in
lines. More chain hotels are also offering mobile apps that let you check in
and out via your Smartphone instead of the front desk.
The New York City Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) is planning to
replace fare cards for subways and buses with the OMNY payment system by

2023. Using it will require either a contactless credit, debit, or prepaid card
      or a Smartphone or smart watch equipped with a digital wallet. If you don’t
      have one or the other, you won’t be able to ride public transportation in
      NYC.5
      Smartphone’s for healthcare
      Healthcare is another area where smart phones are becoming increasingly
      important. Tele health apps, for instance, allow people to chat with a
      physician live without leaving home. These types of apps could be vital for
      someone who has ongoing health issues but can’t always visit a doctor in
      person. You can also use a laptop or desktop for tele health, of course.
      Smartphone’s for vaccine mandates
      President Biden initiated a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal employees
      and contractors in July 2021, and then followed it up with mandates for

businesses with 100 or more employees and healthcare workers at facilities
that accept Medicare and Medicaid in November 2021.6 However, they are
currently blocked due to pending litigation.7
The existence of vaccine mandates varies across the country, with different
states and localities choosing different strategies, including some states
forbidding them by law.8 They may also be necessary to gain entry at
private venues. For example, you may need to show proof of vaccination to
gain entry to sporting events, concerts, and college campuses.
New York City instituted a stringent vaccine mandate, requiring proof of
vaccination for everyone five and older at all public indoor activities as of
Dec. 27, 2021. This includes restaurants, grocery stores, theatres, movie
houses, concert venues, gyms, swimming pools, exhibition halls, hotel event
spaces, and more.9
In the case of a vaccine mandate, a Smartphone would be requirement for
using a vaccine passport app, such as New York City’s COVID Safe App and
New York State’s Excelsior Pass.910
Showing proof of vaccination may be a requirement when traveling
internationally to countries outside the U.S. It is required for foreign air
travelers entering the United States.11
Affording the Cost of a Smartphone
Though you could reasonably say that a Smartphone is a necessity for many
people, affording them isn’t always easy. Smartphone’s can bring with them
a number of costs, including:
 The cost of purchasing the phone itself
 Accessories, such as Bluetooth earpieces and car chargers
 Insurance protection plans
 Monthly service
On average in 2020, the typical cell phone plan cost $113 per month.12 The
global average Smartphone selling price was $363 in 2021, and premium
Smartphone models can cost $1,000 or more (Apple’s I Phone 13 Pro goes
for $1,599).1314 For someone who’s living on a tight budget, those numbers
can be daunting. Thus, in addition to asking whether a Smartphone is a
requirement in 2022, it’s also important to ask how the average person can
afford to pay for it.

Some of the best ways to save money on cellphone service include:
 Buying a used phone instead of a new one
 Opting for prepaid phone service in lieu of a contract plan
 Choosing the lowest smartphone service plan possible
 Sharing the cost with others through a family plan
Leasing a Smartphone could also save money and afford another benefit:
the ability to upgrade to a new phone every year or so. In that sense,
leasing a phone is similar to leasing a car. When the lease term ends, you
can choose a new phone, keep the one you have and sign a new lease, or
buy the phone outright.
Smartphone financing may be an option if you want to buy a phone to own.
You can find it through retailers such as Best Buy, cell phone service
providers, cell phone manufacturers such as Samsung and Apple, or any
other platforms you’re getting a point of sale installment loan instead of
using a traditional installment loan or credit card. Any of these options might
be worth exploring if you’re looking for a way to finance a phone purchase
while saving money on interest.