Brits spent £934 each on technology in 2012, research from uSwitch has found, with 48 per cent having bought smartphones, 22 per cent buying mobile phones, 28 per cent a tablet and 18 per cent an e-reader.
The research found that almost £42 billion was spent collectively on technology, with nine per cent wanting to cut back their tech spending next year.
The biggest spend this year was on TV, with 17 per cent spending more than £50 a month on TV packages.
The second biggest tech spend was on mobile phones, with 23 per cent of mobile users spending between £26 and £50 a month.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said: “2012 has seen Brits’ tech dalliance turn into a full-blown love affair. Gadget-mad consumers cannot get enough – if it’s shiny, new, goes faster and is the latest must-have, they will spend whatever it takes to get their hands on it.
“Unsurprisingly, one of Brits’ biggest tech spends is on mobile phones. Smartphones in particular have become an integral part of people’s social and working lives with the capability to stream video, check emails and browse websites, as well as make phone calls. In fact, a number of gadgets are encompassing every aspect of our lives now.”
It was found that 38 per cent have become more reliant on technology over the past year, with 28 per cent adding that they would be ‘lost’ without their gadgets.
The rise of technology means that 61 per cent read online newspapers or websites daily, with the average expenditure on e-newspapers reaching just £6.60 this year.