We use our phones now more than ever. They function as a variety of tools, and our reliance on them is growing every day. Since we rely so heavily on them nearly every day, the importance of keeping them safe and working to their top performance levels is vital.
Having to send phones in for repairs for just a few hours can create a huge halt in your life. Those multi-person projects at work need to be put on hold, you don’t have access to a GPS so you can’t get directions, you miss an important email for a few hours from a professor or work: the possibilities are endless. That’s what could happen in a few hours, imagine or remember how difficult it was when you would lose your phone for days for repair.
To avoid the situations above, you have to make it a priority to keep your phone safe. There are a few things so simple that will enhance your phone safety. Take a look at our list of some ways you can continue to keep your phone safe.
Get a Protective Case
It seems simple and obvious, right? Apparently not, since plenty of people still refuse to get a case. Every time they are called out on it we hear the same old stories. “I just like the design of the phone and don’t want to ruin it with a case” or “I trust myself and have never dropped this phone once.” That’s all well and good, but eventually, you’ll find yourself in line waiting for a repair estimate.
Phone cases are such a simple solution to a lot of problems. If you like the look of the phone, get a clear case. If you don’t think you’ll drop it and you don’t like the feel of a case, get a really thin one with a bit of padding on the corners. It will save you hundreds in the long run. There are plenty of nice-looking phone cases, even leather iPhone cases, that will keep your phone protected without impeding on your personal style.
When you do get a case, try to avoid the hard plastic ones. Plastic cases don’t absorb the energy and forces applied to the phone when it’s hit by something or dropped. Instead, try to get a rubber case. Rubber is a more absorbent material in terms of applied force, so your phone will stay protected.
Another tip, rubber cases with extra padding on the corner are best. When a phone is dropped on the corner, the pressure is applied to a very small area on the phone leaving it more vulnerable to breaking or shattering. The more padding on the corners, the less chance you’ll find yourself phoneless while the screen is being replaced. A glass screen protector along with a rubber case will go a long way.
Popsockets
Sometimes drops are just too powerful for a case. Though the chances of breaking your phone when dropping it with a case on are lower than without a case, it’s still not perfect. Wouldn’t it be safer to just never drop your phone again? That’s what the popsocket is for!
Popsockets attach to the back of your smartphone, and a little round hold pops out to give you extra grip on your phone. Even if your phone gets knocked while in your hand, the chances of you dropping it when using a popsocket are smaller than without. Make dropping your phone an unusual occurrence by testing out a popsocket on the back of your phone.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Going to the beach for a day? Make sure you have something to keep your phone out of the heat. Taking a trip to the mountains for some skiing and snowboarding? Try keeping your phone in your warmest pocket to keep it from freezing. The best way to break your phone internally without you even noticing it is by exposing it to extreme temperatures.
Smartphones can overheat really quickly when out in the sun and it can cause serious damage like battery loss, melting of internal components, and phone memory loss. Freezing temperatures also cause battery problems and leave the phone more susceptible to physical damage because the internal components become more rigid.
If your phone does become exposed to these conditions, let it gradually get back to room temperature. If you leave your phone outside in the sun for too long, don’t put it in the freezer if it needs to cool down – it can also cause some pretty serious damage.
Final Thoughts on Protecting your Smartphone from Damage
If you constantly use your phone every day, do your best to try to take care of it. Keeping it safe from damage isn’t as hard or difficult as imagined. Simple steps like putting a case on it or avoiding extreme temperatures can go a long way when ensuring it’s safety and longevity.