[citation][nom]back_by_demand[/nom]People don't "need" smartphones at all, they "want" them...This phone and everything about it falls into the "want" category[/citation]
I finally got my first smart phone in December after years of putting it off, and it makes my world so much better of a place! It replaces my laptop, my work laptop, gps, mp3 player, kindle, camera, video camera, and phone all in one nice tiny capable package. I still have a house cluttered with all of these devices, but if I find I do not use them in the next few months then I am going to sell them off, or find good homes for them among my friends.
And for running a business where social media and email is such a huge part of your work? You absolutely need a smart phone! I work at a nonprofit, and where I use to have serious problems struggling with communication and organization, and now when people need me (or I need them) the lines of communication are open because I have a dozen ways to get hold of just about anyone on my team.
All that said; if you are not running a business... well, then it is just really really really nice to have, and not such a necessity.