From pocket to physics: Unlocking the potential of smartphone sensor experiments to enhance science learning

In recent years, smartphones have emerged as potent tools for science education, offering innovative ways to conduct experiments beyond traditional laboratory settings. This study synthesizes 14 studies published between 2015 and 2025 involving 883 students to evaluate the impact of smartphone sensor experiments on physics learning achievement. A statistically significant medium positive effect (Hedges’s g = 0.754) was found, demonstrating smartphones’ potential as accessible, low-cost experimental tools. Learning gains varied significantly by country, educational level (secondary students showed greater improvement), and implementation duration (short interventions were more effective). Applications like Phyphox, MagAR, and Video Physics facilitated inquiry-based learning and real-time data analysis. By using built-in sensors, smartphones transform everyday devices into scientific instruments, bridging theoretical physics with tangible experiences. This study advocates for sustained professional development programs that strengthen teachers’ capacity to integrate mobile-based science learning, and calls for broader research on smartphone-assisted learning across diverse educational and scientific contexts.