Smartphones are a staple in the modern world—possibly the most expensive staple you own.
You’ve spent a hefty sum on your smartphone. Here’s how to get the most life out of it to make that investment worthwhile in the long run.
Invest in a Great Phone Case
Phones have a way of leaping out of pockets, don’t they? Dropping your smartphone is undoubtedly part of the reality of owning one. Because of this, you need a high-quality phone case to protect your device.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a case to get durable protection. Many phone cases available today offer incredible shock absorption without adding weight and bulk to your device. You can even find a style to match your personality, so you can protect your device and make a statement at the same time.
Don’t Skip Screen Protectors
You know that moment when your phone lands face down on the floor, and you’re scared to pick it up? Investing in a screen protector is an easy way to reduce that anxiety, as you can rest assured that a nasty fall won’t completely shatter your screen.
Screen protectors can also prevent minor scratches on your phone screen. Scratches may not render your phone unusable, but they interfere with the viewing experience.
If a screen protector cracks or gets too scratched up, swap it out for a new one! A quick switch is far easier and cheaper than getting your screen replaced.
Optimize Battery Life
Not all damage inflicted on smartphones is cosmetic. With time, the internal components can also begin to wear.
It used to be the industry wisdom that “over-charging” your battery could have long-term damaging consequences for battery health. This news doesn’t fare well for all of us who plug our phone in before bed and don’t touch it until the morning.
But smartphone manufacturers have come out in recent years to say worries about overcharging are outdated concerns. It isn’t something people need to worry about anymore. Today’s phones have intelligent software that stops a phone from charging once it hits total capacity.
While that makes maintaining good battery health easier, users should still take some actions to increase daily battery life and overall lifespan. Apple suggests keeping your devices out of extreme temperature conditions, particularly heat, as this can negatively impact the ion battery.
Additionally, if you need to store your device long-term (say, for a few months or more), never leave it fully charged. Ideally, your battery should be around 50% charged.
Stay on Top of Updates
We’ve all gotten that notification on our home screen informing us that an update is available. And many of us ignore that message for weeks on end.
Taking time to update your phone when new software becomes available can keep your device working smoothly in the long run. Often your phone needs to be connected to WiFi and plugged in to update, so check for available updates when you’re relaxing at home or spending time at the office.
Keep Calm, Swipe On
With a few proactive investments and a little intentional thought, you can keep your smartphone in tip-top shape for years to come.
