Your smartphone is more than a convenience – it’s an integral part of modern life. You use it for banking transactions, connecting with loved ones, capturing memories, navigating from place to place, and it can even act as a virtual assistant.
You don’t want to damage it, especially when repairs can cost anything between 27 and 41 per cent of the device’s total cost.
The good news is that, by following these five simple tips, you can keep your phone looking brand-new and avoid expensive repairs.
1. Buy a Sturdy Case
While smartphones come in increasingly attractive designs, aesthetics come at a cost: modern cellphones are made from easily damaged materials. To protect your phone from drops, cracks, and scratches, it pays to invest in a high-quality protective case.
A leather phone case is probably the best protection you can buy for your phone because solid leather absorbs shock better than any kind of plastic, and pure leather will also protect your phone from excess heat.
2. Get a Screen Protector
Your screen is the second most expensive component of your smartphone – and a cracked screen also happens to be the most common reason for repair or replacement. Screen damage is not usually covered under the manufacturer’s warranty – so make sure you buy a high-quality screen protector.
The best screen protectors are made from high-quality tempered glass. Don’t be tempted to purchase the cheaper plastic film option because it will only protect your screen from scratches, not drops.
Make sure your screen protector fits your phone’s brand and model snugly and that it covers the entire screen.
3. Keep it Away from Moisture
When it comes to the delicate electronics in your smartphone, moisture is enemy number one. You’ve probably heard horror stories of phones falling into toilets, so resist the urge to use your phone in the bathroom.
In fact, you should avoid taking your phone into areas with a lot of moisture or humidity altogether – such as bathrooms, steam rooms, and around open water like pools and lakes. If you absolutely have to take your cellphone with you, keep it in a Ziploc bag to keep it dry.
Don’t handle your phone when your hands are wet, and be extra careful to keep it away from food and drinks – one liquid spill can ruin your phone.
4. Keep it Away from Heat
It’s as important to keep your phone cool as it is to keep it dry. High temperatures can damage your lithium-ion battery or even cause it to melt. Keep your phone at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and avoid storing it with your other gadgets.
When you charge your phone, don’t ever cover it. Phones can overheat because charging them causes the voltage step-down function to kick in, which generates heat. If a charging phone is covered, the heat cannot dissipate – there have even been cases of charging phones kept under pillows exploding or catching fire.
5. Clean it Regularly
To keep your phone looking brand-new, you should clean it regularly. The correct way to clean your phone is to switch it off and gently wipe it with a damp, soft microfiber cloth or anti-bacterial wipe.
Never clean your phone with household cleaning products, solvents, or alcohol.
