How long does your smartphone usually last? Believe it or not, it breaks after a year or less, that’s not actually a production problem! In fact, most people are not taking care of their iPhones and Androids well enough, leading to an early grave. Smartphones are built to last about four years, in reality. So here are some ways to keep your old phone functioning longer…
Protect It
Nope, protecting a phone does not mean keeping Instagram credentials a secret. Well, it does, but not this time around. Instead, take physical protection seriously, its that simple. Use cases, protection screens, and other products, allowing the phone to stay as close to its factory build as possible.
The best part of all? There are so many cool cases to purchase! From sparkling deigns to waterproof protection to cases that double as a wallet, there’s a case for everyone. There are even some cases with built-in screen protectors. Talk about an all-in-one purchase!
Check The Battery
Of course, the battery is another vital part of your phone. However, very few consumers take care of or replace their batters, even though everyone can do so. It’s effortless to find a replacement battery online, especially for newer phones. Its much cheaper than changing phones every year, that’s for sure!
When using a battery, there are a few tips to follow to ensure that it lasts as long as possible. First, try not to overcharge your phone. When it’s at 100% unplug it, don’t leave it sitting there. Second, turn your phone when not in use. Finally, always charge a phone before it reaches 5%. Starting to charge at under 5% can kill the battery and, in rare cases, cause fires or explosions.
Be Smart With The Temperature
Smartphones have a temperature range they can work in. Too hot or cold, they simply shut down. You may have even seen a warning about this when in hot or cold locations. Once in a while, this is fine. However, phones that regularly function in the extreme hot or cold will have a shorter shelf life than others.
“If your phone does shut down, do not restart it until you’re inside and give time for your phone to warm up. Restarting your phone immediately could actually cause more harm to your phone and actually shorten your battery life,” Cell Phone Repair’s Jeremy Kwaterski commented. Also, try and keep it cooler while in hot locations. In summer, use airplane mode on the smartphone when it’s not used. This will shut down unnecessary apps and will help to cool the phone down.
Clean It Up
By cleaning it up, we don’t mean deleting all the apps. Instead, take a tech-wipe and clean the phone from the outside by wiping all the bacteria off the screen and under the case. Yes, the dirt can get under the case with time, too! The University of Arizona found that there are 10 times more bacteria on phones than on toilet seats. You don’t want that touching your face and fingers, right? Plus, those bacteria slowly breakdown everything, including the chips in a smartphone.
These four tips will help to keep any smartphone alive longer. Just don’t try to clean it by rinsing in water, even if it claims to be water-resistant!