Millions 'can't live without their phone'

Seven million Australians claim they can't live without their smartphones, relying on their device to navigate life.

Seven million Australians just can't live without their smartphones, according to new research. (AAP)

Australians are becoming more reliant on their smartphones to navigate their way through life, with seven million people claiming they can't live without their clever device.

About 45 per cent of Aussies over 14 say they need their phone to help them juggle work and personal life, for personal security and to help co-ordinate their social arrangements, a survey by Roy Morgan Research says.

"As smartphone ownership has rapidly increased, so too has the number of us who feel dependent on a mobile phone," chief executive Michele Levine said.

"Today there are almost seven million Australians carrying around a smartphone they say they couldn't live without," Ms Levine said.

Apple smartphone owners are the most dependent on their iPhone, with around half of owners saying they can't live without their mobile, followed by users of Samsung, LG and HTC.

About 44 per cent need their device when travelling abroad, and 41 per cent say they need to be available for work 24/7.

More than a third of smartphone owners say they need their device to give them more control over their lives.