A total of 67 percent of South Korean mobile subscribers used smartphones, surpassing usage rates in other major economies, data showed Wednesday.

In a survey of 10 countries, South Korea had the highest rate of smartphone usage, surpassing China’s 66 percent and Australia’s 65 percent, according to the data from U.S. market researcher Nielsen.

The figure was higher than 62 percent in Italy, 61 percent in Britain and 53 percent in the United States.

South Korea also had one of the highest subscription rates for data price plans among smartphone users.

The portion of South Korean smartphone subscribers who used data price plans came to 89 percent, the second highest after 96 percent in the U.S.

In line with high smartphone usage and popularity of data price plans, South Korea also ranked third in terms of monthly mobile fees.

South Korean smartphone users spent 55,000 won ($50.10) on average each month, after 102,000 won by U.S. users and 56,000 won by Australian users, the data showed.

In contrast, South Korea ranked No. 8 in terms of multiple handset use. A total of 16 percent of South Korean mobile users used more than two devices, surpassing only India’s 11 percent and Turkey’s 7 percent.

A total of 51 percent of Russian mobile subscribers used more than two devices, while 48 percent of Brazilian subscribers and 36 percent of Chinese subscribers followed suit, according to the data. (Yonhap News)