The monetary investment for a start. The cost of both is constant and for life. They are always seeking and/or demanding our attention and the thought of losing them is just too much to bear.
For many, their phone has become their baby. They love and nurture it. Forming such a strong bond with it that the mere idea of going anywhere without it would horrify some to the point of separation anxiety.
Like proud parents, we show off our phones to family and friends, boasting about its achievements and capabilities. We ensure they have the latest and greatest toys(apps) and trendy outfits(covers).
Responsible owners will have their "baby bag" fully loaded at all times ... screen cleaner, wipes, charger, headphones and a change of "clothes".
And why bother braving the elements to go outside and play with a real child when your beloved phone can entertain you with Candy Crush for hours on end?
No need to disguise veggies at mealtimes either ... our not so fussy phones are more than happy to chow down on bucket loads of delicious digital data with the added bonus of no spillage!
These diaper-free devices can throw the odd tantrum though, some may even require a visit to "the doctor" to have their boo-boos attended to and we'll happily splash the cash, without hesitation, to ensure they are restored to full health.
And if they're not sleeping soundly at night while charging, our mobiles can often be found curled up with us in bed, where many a sleepless night will be spent chatting, listening to music or watching Netflix.
Our precious wee mini-mes were even considerate enough to be born with a camera or two so every magical memory ever made could be captured before being flown up to the mystical fluffy cloud by an angelic cherub, where they all live happily ever after.
If latest studies are anything to go by we have no issues when it comes to showing our mobile's public displays of affection, touching them, on average, 2500 times a day.
Sounds kind of creepy when worded that way ... but perhaps it should because at this point one has to ask, is the relationship we have with our phones a healthy one?
My guess is probably not, especially if a real-life baby or child is being put on the back burner while we continue to forge an even stronger bond with our battery powered baby.
Many will have opted to get their child a device of their own, in some lame attempt to distract them, so they won't bother us quite as much - and just as the phone has become a surrogate child to us, it will, ironically, become a surrogate parent to the child. Another case of they all lived happily ever after? Hmm - maybe not in this instance.
Perhaps this is the time for brutal honesty and a reality check we need to keep track, over a week, of just how much time we spend with our phones as opposed to our kids because there should be no comparison and there's bound to be an app for just such a purpose. I say that tongue in cheek.
The competition shouldn't even be a close one. The human being should win every time but sadly I bet they won't.
Comparatively speaking, they have their upsides. They don't abuse you, get pregnant or run with a bad crowd and you always have the option to trade them in for a better model but they don't love you back ... and yes, it really is that simple.
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