Voice calls are making a comeback in the UK, with at least 80% of smartphone users making calls on their device in 2013 compared to 71% in 2012.
The rise is revealed in a smartphone usage survey by BT and Samsung, which also found the average UK owner now spends more time using their device than with their partner or spouse – 119 minutes per day versus 97 minutes respectively.
A breakdown of the 119 minute total shows web browsing is the top activity on 24 minutes per day, followed by social networking (16 minutes) and listening to music (15). Making calls ranks in fifth place on 13 minutes, one place ahead of SMS (11 minutes).
BT and Samsung quizzed 2,000 smartphone users in their second annual survey of usage habits. Their research also found that 12% of smartphone owners have ditched games consoles in favor of the mobile device, while 5% now use their phone instead of a TV.