New market research by UK regulator Ofcom has found that over a quarter of the country’s adults (27 percent) and almost half of teenagers (47 percent) now own a smartphone, and that these users make significantly more calls and send more texts than regular mobile users (81 percent of smartphone users make calls every day compared with 53 percent of ‘regular’ users). It also notes that most (59 percent) smartphone users only acquired their device in the past year. Teenagers especially are ditching more traditional activities in favour of their smartphone, with 23 percent claiming to watch less TV and 15 percent admitting they read fewer books, according to the Ofcom survey. And when asked about the use of these devices, 37 percent of adults and 60 percent of teens admit they are ‘highly addicted.’

Ofcom’s research found that the line between work and social time is also becoming increasingly blurred.  Thirty percent of smartphone users say they regularly take part in personal phone calls during working hours, compared with 23 percent of regular mobile phone users. However, smartphone users are more likely to take part in work calls while on holiday or annual leave –  70 percent say they have ever done so, with a quarter (24 percent) admitting to doing so regularly, compared with just 16 percent of ordinary mobile users. The research also looked at the popularity of apps among smartphone users and found that just under half (47 percent) of adult smartphone users have downloaded at least one app.