According to Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project there are now more smartphone owners in the US, with 56 percent of adults in the US owning one of these beloved gadgets.  This is a significant finding, as it means that for the first time in American history, more people are seeing the value of owning a smartphone compared to traditional cellphones.

The research stated that 91 percent of the adult population owns a mobile phone of some kind, with 56 percent owning smartphones, 35 percent some kind of cell phone, and the 9 percent do not own any form of cell phone.  That’s a shrinking number of Americans still clinging on to aging technology, but why are there any cell phones left at all?  We’re five years into the iPhone’s legacy, and in that time dozens of models from every manufacturer around the world have been released into the smartphone market.  It even takes a bit of effort to find a cell phone these days, but without cheaper data plans, there will always be someone out there in the world that wants a mobile phone without the expensive contract add ons.

Joining Kristin Feledy in this morning’s NewsDesk is SiliconANGLE Senior Managing Editor Kristen Nicole with her Breaking Analysis on why traditional cellphones just won’t die.

“The data plan is still certainly a consideration especially for the older age group that don’t necessarily need the newest technology.  Their priorities are different from somebody that’s between the age of 18 and 34,” and if there’s one smartphone in the house then some don’t see the need to pay for a second data plan, Kristen says.

“I think that these things are still going to be an important factor for consumers moving forward, but obviously with more price options, more data plans, more accessibility and improved technology on that end, I do think that we’ll see this [trend] continue to grow in favor of the smartphone,” Kristen concludes.

For more of Kristen Nicole’s Breaking Analysis, check out the NewsDesk video below, and read on for some additional considerations on the cell phone’s potential for immortality:

Smartphones are quite abundant in retail and online stores.  You can get them cheaper when you get a two-year contract with a carrier or go for an installment plan like the one offered by T-Mobile.  If you have cash to burn, you can just buy a smartphone sans the contract.  Question now is, why doesn’t everyone have smartphone?  What can be done to facilitate the faster transition from traditional cellphones to smartphones?

3 Ways to kill the cell phone, once and for all

Cheaper smartphones

Smartphones can best be described as computers that fit in your pocket, though these days you might have a hard time doing that as they keep on getting bigger.  The components needed to manufacture these powerful but tiny computers is what makes them so damn expensive.  If manufacturers can find a way to make smartphones cheaper, then people won’t have a hard time adapting to this trend.

Just to be clear, I’m not talking about feature phones which may have some of a smartphone’s features and are already much cheaper, but real smartphones like the iPhone 5, Galaxy S4, HTC One and the like.

Cheaper data plans or no cost at all

A data plan is one of the biggest drawbacks of owning a smartphone.  You can opt out of it but you would have to make do with connecting to WiFi networks, which aren’t always available and secure.  But more options are emerging for consumers, hitting more price points.  FreedomPop recently announced that this summer, it will be launching a mobile service that would gives users 500MB of wireless data access, 200 voice minutes, and unlimited messaging for FREE. All they need to do is purchase an Android device from them that has been tweaked to work on the system, and for an extra $10 a month, the voice minutes goes to unlimited too.

The downside of this deal is that you probably won’t have the flashiest Android phone. And that it’s suitable for people who aren’t data hogs because if you exceed your limit, you need to be ready to fork out some cash.

Better services

Smartphones brag about the native apps available for users, but not all of them work as promised and not everyone really uses them.  People tend to look for other mobile browsers, maps, camera apps than the one pre-installed.  If smartphone manufacturers could roll all the features users love in various apps and services, then people won’t have to spend hours looking for the right app.

Also, due to the personal way in which we interact with our phones (email, banking, online shopping), they should have better security features that can’t easily be bypassed by doing some little trick with the emergency call feature.

Why cellphones won’t vanish

Data-phobic

Not everyone is keen on using their phones to perform activities other than calling or texting.  And others feel that kids aren’t in dire need of a smartphone – a regular cell phone comes striped of tempting app stores and integrated credit card accounts.

Old-School Computer Love 

While today’s tech is characterized by touch-screens, cell phones come with physical keypads.  And the tactility of cell phone buttons is appealing for more than just nostalgic purposes – a physical button can be pressed in the dark or without looking.

Security first

Not all of us live in upscale communities.  Some live in shady neighborhoods or pass by one when going to from point A to B.  It’s not really wise for people to be walking around in those parts carrying the latest iPhone or Galaxy, it’s like you’re asking to get mugged.