Smartphones continue to capture more mobile users, especially those less than 44 years old, according to a new third-quarter study from Nielsen.

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Only 43 percent of all mobile users own a smartphone, noted Nielsen. That figure covers everyone the company surveyed from 13 to over 65 years old. But ownership has hit more than 50 percent among some specific age groups under 44.

A majority 62 percent of those 25-34 own a smartphone and almost 54 percent of those aged 18-24 and 35-44 do as well. Teenagers are seen as heavy mobile phone users, but only 38 percent of those 13-17 own a smartphone as opposed to a basic feature phone. Moving up in age, 39 percent of mobile users 45-54 years old have a smartphone.

Smartphone usage is also growing among those 55-64. Though only 30 percent of people in this age range own a smartphone, that number is 5 percent higher than Nielsen saw in the second quarter.

In the neverending Android vs Apple smartphone contest, Android is on top, according to Nielsen with 43 percent of the U.S. market, while the iPhone is in the pockets of 28 percent of smartphone users. RIM’s BlackBerry owns an 18 percent share, leaving Microsoft’s Windows Phone with 7 percent, and other assorted vendors scooping up the remaining 4 percent.

Overall, smartphones grabbed 43 percent of mobile users for the third quarter, while feature phones still held onto a majority of 57 percent.