A study find that 84% of South Africans "cannot live" without their cell phones, while 54% say their cell phone would be worse to lose than their wallets.

This is according to research carried out by Johannesburg-based market research company, Synovate.

Synovate’s head of client services, Andries Lombaard said: “With the never-ceasing increase in functionality of cell phones, phones have gone far beyond calling, texting and taking photographs. They serve communication and information needs and definitely appeal to the need for expression and individuality amongst the younger generations.”

Face-to-face interviews were conducted in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.

The study also found that people between 25 and 34-years-old reported the “highest dependency on their phones, with 91% of that group saying that they could not live without their cell phones.

While 87% in the 16 to 24-year-old category said they could not live without their phones, and 84% of people over 50-years-old said they too could not live without their phones.

Synovate says this is because “Cell phones have acquired much popularity amongst marketers due to the fact that cell phones have become almost an extension of one’s person.”

Further, of those interviewed, 82% had one phone, 16% had two and 2% owned more than two cell phones.

The study also asked respondents what they use their cell phones for, besides making phone calls — this is what they said:

• 87% of respondents use the alarm clock function.
• 82% use their phones to snap pictures with the camera.
• 66% listen to or download music on their phones.
• 71% play games on their phones.
• Almost a third send and receive email, while 46% use their phone for Internet Browsing.
• 47% watch video clips ý 15% watch TV