Much international research has been conducted on mobile learning, Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL), and smartphone learning to explore students’ perceptions of these modes of learning. Nevertheless, a few research studies have been carried out on smartphone learning of EFL students in higher education in Palestine. The current study addressed this lack by exploring EFL students’ perceptions at Al-Quds Open University (QOU) in Palestine during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify the impact of gender, university level, place of residence and age. Exploring these perceptions is hoped to encourage decision makers to adopt smartphone technologies in higher education setting in Palestine. Hence, this study aims to answer the question “What are EFL students’ perceptions of smartphone use in the classroom setting at QOU during the COVID-19 pandemic?”. To achieve this objective, a mixed-method approach was used utilizing a 32-item electronic questionnaire sent through the Academic Portal of Al-Quds Open University to seven sections (n = 285) majoring in English language and literature in two academic branches. As a result, 148 students filled out the questionnaire while 12 students (five males and seven females) participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that EFL students generally valued the advantages of smartphone technology as a tool for learning English with no statistically significant differences at (α ≤ 0.05) were found due to gender, university level or place of residence. However, statistically significant differences at (α ≤ 0.05) were found due to students’ age. The qualitative data highlighted a striking contrast between these views and students’ actual usage. Findings also revealed that the majority of students used their smartphones in the classroom setting with the courses that involve practical sides such as Language Use, and English Language Teaching Methods. Based on the study findings, specific implications were offered.