Abstract Introduction With the ubiquitous presence of smartphones, questions increasingly arise about their influence on intimacy and relationship satisfaction. Previous research has shown that technology use within romantic relationships can both facilitate closeness and undermine connection. However, the mechanisms underlying these dynamics remain insufficiently understood. Objective This study aimed to examine the associations between patterns of smartphone use among romantic partners and relationship satisfaction, commitment, sexual desire discrepancy, and emotion regulation strategies. Methods A cross-sectional national survey was conducted among 151 adults in relationships lasting at least six months. Participants completed questionnaires assessing relationship satisfaction, commitment, phubbing behaviors, smartphone use preferences (sex vs. smartphone), and emotion regulation strategies. Additional measures included joint smartphone use, use of devices during separation, and perceived sexual desire discrepancy. Results Almost half of the respondents indicated they would rather give up sex than their smartphone, with significant gender differences in this preference. Joint smartphone use correlated positively with the presence of relationship rules regarding technology use, higher relationship satisfaction, and more frequent displays of affection through technology during separation. In contrast, phubbing was negatively associated with satisfaction and commitment and positively related to pornography use as a coping strategy in stressful situations. Individuals who preferred to give up their smartphone (rather than sex) showed significantly higher levels of commitment and greater relationship satisfaction, whereas those who preferred to give up sex demonstrated significantly higher scores on the smartphone regulatory function scale and higher levels of phubbing. Perceived sexual desire discrepancy was related to greater use of smartphones for emotion regulation and lower relationship satisfaction. Mediation and moderation analyses further clarified the interplay between these variables. Conclusions The findings emphasize the dual role of smartphones in romantic relationships-as both a relational support and a potential threat to intimacy and satisfaction. These results align with prior research on the negative consequences of phubbing (e.g., Wang Gosztonyi, 2024; Ni et al., 2025) and highlight the importance of communication and joint strategies in managing sexual desire discrepancy (Mark, 2014; Vowels & Mark, 2020). Smartphones thus represent a meaningful area for further investigation in the fields of sexology and relationship psychology. Disclosure No
Zaborowski et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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