Tips on How You Can Extend the Life of Your Phone
1. Protect the phone’s screen
Accidents happen. Everyone’s been there: you’re happily tapping away at your phone, when suddenly it slips out of your hand and drops on the floor, shattering the screen. On top of that, repairing the damage can prove costly.
The worst thing that can happen to a phone is it smashing corner-first into a rock, gravel or asphalt surface. However, when a smartphone’s screen breaks, it has likely already taken many hits that have weakened its durability one by one.
Replacing a broken screen is far more expensive than protecting it beforehand. Screen protectors don’t cost much, whereas replacing a broken screen can cost hundreds. A plastic film protector only protects the screen from scratches, so it’s a much better idea to use a tempered glass screen protector for smartphones. Tempered glass screen protectors are impact resistant and the feel of the display is identical to a phone without one.
When a screen protector breaks, it’s easy to replace – usually the phone itself doesn’t get damaged at all.
2. Protect the body of the phone with a protective case
In addition to the screen, it’s also highly recommended to protect the phone’s body.
For example, in some iPhones the cellular antenna is located on the side of the phone. If the phone receives several hits in that particular spot, the signal may weaken. Some models also have a glass back cover, which should be protected to prevent it from breaking. The case also protects the phone’s camera from scratching when it’s set down on a table.
Phone cases come in all colours, so they can dramatically alter the appearance of phones. They can also be made out of all kinds of materials, such as hard or soft plastic, metal, wood or leather.
The best protection is provided by cases that have a separate cover for the screen, that is, so-called wallet cases.
3. Maximise battery life by charging the phone correctly
Currently, smartphones mainly use lithium-ion batteries. Compared to traditional battery technology, they charge faster, last longer and have higher energy density, thus having a longer lifespan. Lithium-ion batteries have their own little tricks that will make them last longer in use. The wrong choices and charging methods may even halve the battery’s lifespan.
4. Look after your information security
A huge amount of information about users are stored on their phones. You wouldn’t want pictures, messages, contact lists, usernames or passwords to fall into the wrong hands. Obviously, the most effective way to counter threats related to mobile privacy is simply to not lose your phone. Previously, before the time of smartphones, deactivating your SIM card helped if you lost your phone. Nowadays, deactivating your SIM card doesn’t really prevent the information from falling into the wrong hands. Fortunately, however, at least Apple offers the possibility to empty the data on the device remotely through iCloud with your Apple ID.
5. Use the phone correctly in cold weather
Especially in northern countries, winter conditions complicate the use of smartphones. Due to cold weather, the chemical reactions producing electricity in the phone’s battery slow down and part of the energy the battery produces is expended on warming the battery instead of transforming into electricity. This is the simple explanation for why phone batteries drain faster in cold than warm weather.
It’s a good idea to charge the phone before going outside and maybe even take a portable charger with you, which will let you keep the battery optimally charged during a longer trip in the cold outdoors. However, you should never charge a cold phone. Only charge the phone if you’ve managed to keep it warm in your pocket.
6. Do the right thing if your phone gets wet
For example, the newest iPhones are water-resistant and at least according to advertisements, there are even waterproof phones available. However, if you drop your phone into the sea, for instance, you should action immediately to save the phone. You have to take the phone out of the water immediately, so that as little water as possible can get inside of it. The power should be switched off straight away and you shouldn’t attempt to switch the phone on, use it, or charge it.