Smartphone users check mobiles 150 times a day: Study

People are increasingly becoming dependent on their cell phones, checking them every six-and-a-half minutes, according to a new research.

In total, users check their smartphones an average of 150 times during a waking day of 16 hours, the study found.

Looking at their phone is the first thing many people do each day - as they use its alarm function - and is also the last, the study commissioned by a mobile phone brand found.

In between, phones are used to check the internet and read emails, as well as to make calls and send texts, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

Even people who have less-sophisticated devices check their phones frequently, it was found. A person just using a phone with basic functions will rack up dozens of uses a day.

Mobile technology consultant Tomi Ahonen who analysed the study, wrote on his blog that people make, receive or avoid 22 phone calls every day.

They also send or receive text messages 23 times a day, Ahonen said, and check the clock 18 times.

"The average phone user places three calls per day and also receives three calls," Ahonen said.

"Where are the other 16 times? Interruptions! We have a dropped call (one per day) or we make a call attempt that won't go through (one per day)," he said.

Setting the alarm, playing games, changing songs, taking pictures and plugging and unplugging the phone all added to the number of phone views, he said.