Average mobile phone travels 8,313 miles and makes 792 calls in its lifetime

07 August 2023 , 11:52

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The average adult will own 18 mobile phones in their lifetime, upgrading their device every four years (Image: SWNS)

The average Brit will own up to 18 mobile phones in their lifetime – with each phone travelling 8,313 miles, making 792 calls, and streaming 749 hours of video or music, research has found.

A poll of 2,000 adults found that they typically upgrade their mobile device every four years – meaning they now hold onto it longer than they did five years ago, when they would upgrade every three years.

The average mobile phone will accompany its owner to 225 dinners, and even be present during 211 bathroom visits – including 81 baths, and 86 showers.

And the typical adult will take a mobile phone to 79 festivals, 166 barbeques, and on 158 road trips.

As such, it is perhaps unsurprising that 16% of those polled do not feel ready to say goodbye to their device when it is on its last legs.

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And almost half (48%) believe that their mobile phone deserves a little more TLC, because of everything it does for them.

And nearly a quarter become emotionally attached to their phones - with 45% wishing their device could last longer (Vodafone)

The study was commissioned by Vodafone, to launch its "Lifetime Service Promise" – which also found 45% wish their phones lasted longer.

Battery issues (33%) prove the most frequently experienced device problems, closely followed by slow running (28%), and screen damage (17%).

A spokesman for Vodafone said: "We know how important it is for customers’ devices to stay in the best possible condition for as long as possible, without having to worry about issues such as battery performance or their camera not working.

"Our new initiative means that phones really do last longer, all at no extra cost – giving better value for customers."

It also emerged wanting to save money (69%), trying to reduce their environmental impact (46%), and not losing any of the content saved on it (40%), are the top reasons people want their phones to last longer.

But 23% hang on to their device after becoming emotionally attached to it, according to the OnePoll study – and 12% want to keep their phone going as long as possible so they can pass it on to another family member.

Martin Winter