Smartphones become the latest addition to the family

It seems that smartphones are ever increasingly becoming an integral part of our everyday life with almost a quarter (22%) of women admitting their smartphone is so important to them they would compare the device to their husband. According to a recent report by eBay and SoFeminine.co.uk, a further 24% of women reported that their smartphone is as important as their best friend and 29% comparing their phone to a beloved pet, assuring the smartphone’s place as part of the family.

Over half (53%) of women across Europe admit to being dependent on their smartphones, with 43% saying they can’t go for more than an hour without checking their phone or tablet. Half of women (48%) admitted to not being able to get through a date without reaching for their smartphone and a staggering 17% of women even admitted to checking their phone while in the bedroom.

When it comes to shopping, 32% of British women make more than one purchase on their phone a week, with 44% of sales made through the eBay app being on clothes or accessories, followed by 28% on books and DVDs and 24% on technology items.

According to the study, a third of women already own a Samsung smartphone. Over the last month, in the run up to the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S4 launch, eBay.co.uk has seen listings of iPhones rise by 79%, as it appears Brits are looking to sell their current iPhone model in exchange for Samsung’s latest offering.

eBay spokesman, Steven Heywood says; “As a nation we are becoming increasingly reliant on technology and our smartphones are more important than ever, which has been reflected in the popularity of our eBay mobile apps, with over 120 million downloads globally.”