It's more essential the poorer you are. Because what's truly essential is Web access - for communicating with your friends and family, for access to government services and banking, and bunch of other little things you may need to do to secure a job, etc. Most of these things you can do even better on a computer - if you own one. A smartphone is the cheapest personal device with full-featured Web access these days, which is how it becomes essential for people who can't afford a computer (and a place to keep it, i.e. a home).
Ok I overstated it, I admit. In fact, my acquaintance who panhandles downtown has a phone and a tablet which he uses to keep connected, check weather (critical to him!), look up fitness routines etc. Especially now that the library is closed, it's a lifeline for him.
