We are no doubt living in the technology age. From the massive computers of yore, we now have the internet in the palms of our hands, literally. It’s hard to imagine your life without a smartphone. They hold our calendars, clocks, notebooks, cameras, music and are a gateway to the ubiquitous social media world. Therefore the agony of someone whose phone is damaged is understandable. Let’s take a look on how to keep our smartphones in pristine condition for as long as possible.
Hard Cover/ Screen Protectors
This may sound a tad obvious, but covers protect smartphones from mechanical damage by absorbing physical impact. Basic screen protectors keep scratches at bay while heavy duty ones even prevent breakage.
Charging
Using your phone while it’s attached to the socket might be part of your night routine, but this is not advisable. Actually it is one of the fastest ways to deplete your battery life. Using it while on charge causes the battery to heat up and reduce productivity. Still on the subject, be keen when buying a replacement charger since some knock-offs might damage your phone in the long run.
Software Protection
Most of us have unlock codes on our phones, but how many think about anti-viruses? These are usually relegated to PCs and laptops. These days there are all manner of tech-savvy crooks who can hack your smartphone in a snap. Consider investing in a powerful antivirus such as AVG, Bitdefender, ESET among others that ward off malware, provide anti-theft support, WiFi security scan and photo vaults.
Cleaning
For those of us who are germophobes, keeping our phones smudge-free is paramount. However, be careful not to use harsh cleaning agents. Just a simple soft cloth will do. For stubborn grime, spray some distilled water on the cloth. As a safety measure, turning off your phone before this is recommended. Only turn your device back on once the screen is completely dry.
Temperature
Avoid temperature extremes for your phone. Optimum temperature range is 10-30 degrees Celsius for Lithium-Ion batteries, which most smartphones have. Also, abrupt change from hot to cold areas and vice versa could cause condensation and ruin your precious pocket partner.
