Vodafone today launches research that delves deep into the UK’s mobile habits, revealing that the most popular message sent by Brits is “love you”, followed by “are you ok?”, “lol”, “haha” and “home safe”.
- UK’s top message is “love you” and Liverpool is the “love you” capital with a third choosing it.
- Brits send 110 different messages each day.
- Brits shop online 22 times a week, once more than they check their bank balance.
- Londoners make 19 calls a day, four more than the national average.
- Brits listen to an average of 185 songs on their phones each week.
Vodafone today launches research that delves deep into the UK’s mobile habits, revealing that the most popular message sent by Brits is “love you”, followed by “are you ok?”, “lol”, “haha” and “home safe”. The findings show that, while our phones play a hugely functional role in daily life, human connection still sits firmly at the heart of how we use them.
Phones are central to our social lives, with Brits sending 110 different types of messages a day on average. But meeting up IRL (in real life) for coffee, drinks or dinner (65%) is Brits’ favourite thing to arrange via mobile, with Londoners doing so even more than the national average (68%).
On a typical day, Brits use their phones on-the-go to stay connected to family and friends (58%), scroll social media (53%) and manage tasks, like checking their bank balance (52%). Birmingham tops the list for chatting, making 27 calls a day compared to 15 nationally, while Londoners send the most messages at 38 a day – eight more than the UK average.
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The most popular thing people use their phones for is shopping (22 times a week), followed by checking bank balances (21 times a week) and asking AI a question (17 times a week).
Beyond keeping us connected, our phones also provide entertainment on-the-go. The average Brit watches six films, seven TV episodes and listens to seven podcast episodes on their mobile in a typical week. And we’re a nation that loves to stream music on our mobiles too, getting through an impressive average of 185 songs weekly.
The findings come as Vodafone is named London’s Best Network by NET CHECK* for the third year running. Across Vodafone’s network alone, Londoners make 14.5 million calls and use 1.9 petabytes of data on an average weekday. Compared to 2025, data usage has increased by 12%, highlighting the growing demand for mobile data and calls across the capital.
The study also reveals the perfect phone etiquette, with results revealing Brits’ biggest bugbears:
1. Unexpected phone calls
43%
2. Using speakerphones in public
31%
3. Too many group chat messages
27%
4. Making video calls without warning
26%
5. Leaving voice notes that are too long
25%
Even voicemail appears to have lost some of its appeal, with almost 1 in 10 describing it as ‘annoying’, although half (48%) of those in Manchester still find it useful.
The research points to a simple truth: while the nation has never been more digitally connected, or reliant on phones, people still want to take conversations offline and turn messages into meaningful face-to-face moments.
To celebrate being named London’s Best Network, and to encourage IRL catch-ups, Vodafone is inviting Londoners to enjoy a free coffee at several pop-up locations across the capital. While there, they can also get access to a free seven-day Vodafone network trial via the Vodafone website, with no commitment or strings attached (terms and exclusions apply**).
Being named London’s Best Network for the third year running is a fantastic recognition of the investment we have made across the UK and in London to deliver the speed, reliability and capacity people depend on every day.
Vodafone spokesperson
Vodafone is part of VodafoneThree which was created in June 2025. VodafoneThree continues its UK-wide £11 billion investment programme, including a commitment to roll out 5G Standalone (5G SA) to 99% of the UK population by 2030, extending further to 99.96% by 2034.
Already, VodafoneThree has removed over 16,500 km² of mobile not spots across the UK, which is equivalent to an area ten times the size of London.
VodafoneThree has improved more than 10,000 masts so that 28.6 million Vodafone and Three customers are starting to benefit from improved mobile connectivity and capacity. Customers’ devices connect to the best available coverage, at no extra cost.
Stay up to date with the latest news from VodafoneThree by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
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Notes to editors
* London’s Best Mobile Network: Based on the NET CHECK Benchmark measurement report of mobile networks in Greater London. Tested with latest commercially available equipment on four mobile networks, in March/April 2026. For more information: or to read the full report: .
** 500 mins, texts & 50GB UK use for 7 days from order completion (new mobile customers). E-SIM device required, must be geo-located in London. Until supplies last. See: vodafone.co.uk/terms.
Research commissioned by VodafoneThree, via an online survey conducted by WALR among a nationally representative sample of 2,002 adults between 27 and 28 April 2026. WALR is an independent market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct.
About VodafoneThree
VodafoneThree is the UK’s largest mobile network operator serving the fixed and mobile market, formed following the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK in June 2025.
Through an unprecedented £11 billion investment, VodafoneThree will build the UK’s best network. The network will deliver reliable, quality connectivity to all nations and regions, creating as many as 13,000 jobs and laying a digital foundation for the country’s growth ambitions. VodafoneThree is the only mobile network operator with a fully funded, regulated and guaranteed network build plan, reaching 99% 5G Standalone population coverage by 2030 and 99.96% by 2034. From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, the company’s mission is to build the UK’s best network.
VodafoneThree is a private company, 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% owned by CK Hutchison Holdings. It encompasses all businesses and assets, including Vodafone UK, Three UK, VOXI Mobile, SMARTY and Talkmobile.
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