What is it with recruiters & video calls?

A recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn about a role that sounds interesting & asked if I had time for a quick chat to hear more about the role. I agreed & then he asked for my email to setup a zoom call. I guess I don’t understand why go through so much effort for the first conversation. (Since I am currently working a contractor position that requires me to come into the offices 5 days week it’s a bit hard for me to sneak away so a phone screen would be a lot easier) I told the recruiter I was unable to jump on a zoom call but would be able to do a quick phone call. On the call we walked through my resume & I answered all of his questions. Towards the end of the call he mentioned setting up a zoom call with me the following week to put a face to the name…I don’t get the point. Obviously for actual interviews I can make arrangements to step away but I’m already fed up with recruiters & having my time wasted. I am noticing more & more that recruiters are wanting to talk on camera now for the first call. Are phone screens no longer a thing?