Istanbul: In an unprecedented development, mobile devices have surpassed 60% of global internet traffic as of July, marking a significant milestone in the digital world. This surge in mobile internet usage is attributed to the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets equipped with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, which have gradually replaced traditional computers in recent years.

According to Anadolu Agency, data from Statcounter reveals that back in 2009, desktop computers overwhelmingly dominated web traffic, accounting for 99.3%, while mobile devices held a mere 0.7%. However, the digital landscape began to shift in 2016 when mobile devices first surpassed desktop computers in web traffic, reaching over 50% in December of that year. By that time, tablets made up 5% and desktops 45% of internet usage.

As of July, the share of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, has exceeded 60% for the first time, while laptops have seen their share drop to 40%. The data also highlights that the most-used web browsers are Chrome with a 68% share, followed by Safari at 16% and Microsoft Edge at 5%.

Statcounter data further indicates that Turkey's smartphone usage is above the global average, with mobile devices constituting 76.8% of the country's web traffic in July, compared to 22% for desktop computers and 1.2% for tablets.

The evolution of mobile phones since the 1990s, featuring innovations like touch screens, enhanced cameras, and internet connectivity, has contributed significantly to this trend. The introduction of Apple's first iPhone in 2007 marked a pivotal moment in mobile history, transforming cellphones into sophisticated devices capable of providing a desktop web experience, thanks in part to the Safari web browser. This technological advancement rendered the once-primitive, text-focused mobile webpages obsolete, as smartphones began to offer internet browsing capabilities akin to those of computers.