In today’s fast-paced world, our smartphones are an essential part of our lives. They help us stay connected to the world, stay on top of our work, and entertain us on the go. However, many of us may not realise that our actions can have a significant impact on the lifespan of our phones. Here are six things you do that affect the lifespan of your phone.
Not Using a Phone Case
One of the most common reasons for smartphone damage is dropping the phone. Honestly, we get it; in most cases, the phone case diminishes the beauty of the phone, and your sleek-looking S23 Ultra becomes less aesthetically pleasing once you slap a case on it. Unfortunately, without a protective case, your phone is more susceptible to scratches and cracks, reducing lifespan. Investing in a good phone case can protect your phone from accidental drops and other damage.
Ignoring Software Updates
Conversely, software Updates are essential for the performance and security of your smartphone. They fix bugs, provide new features, and enhance the overall user experience. Ignoring software updates can cause your phone to become slower, less secure, and more prone to crashes.
Overcharging your phone
In addition, your battery is one of the most critical components in your phone. We have discussed habits that ruin your battery here; for iPhone users, we have tips to keep your battery purring here and what to do if your battery life falls below 85% here. Yes, we love you that much, and you are welcome. Charging your phone overnight or leaving it plugged in for extended periods can damage the battery, reducing its lifespan. It’s best to unplug your phone once fully charged, as overcharging can cause the battery to overheat, leading to potential damage or a fire hazard.
Running too many apps in the background
Regardless of your phone’s RAM size, running too many apps in the background can cause your phone to slow down, drain the battery faster, and reduce its lifespan. It’s best to close unused apps and limit the number of apps running in the background. Multitask responsibly.
Exposing your phone to extreme temperatures
Exposing your phone to extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can cause damage to the battery and other components, reducing its lifespan. Avoid leaving your phone in a hot car or direct sunlight for extended periods and exposing it to extremely cold temperatures.
Neglecting screen protection
Your phone’s screen is one of the most expensive parts to repair if it gets cracked or scratched (Ask any Samsung phone user). Not only that, but a damaged screen can also affect your phone’s functionality and appearance. Invest in a good screen protector and a durable case to protect your screen from harm. Screen protectors can prevent scratches and cracks, while cases can absorb shocks and drops. If you end up breaking your screen, repair it as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Exposing your phone to water or dust
Unsurprisingly, water and dust are two of the biggest enemies of your phone. They can get into your phone’s ports, speakers, microphone, and camera and cause corrosion, short circuits, or malfunctions. Even if your phone is water-resistant or waterproof, exposing it to water or dust unnecessarily is not a good idea. Avoid using your phone in wet or dusty environments, such as bathrooms, pools, beaches, or construction sites to prevent water or dust damage. If you get your phone wet or dirty, dry it off gently with a soft cloth and avoid turning it on until it’s completely dry.
Keeping too many apps
Having more apps on your phone gives you more options and convenience, but it can also slow down your phone and take up valuable storage space. Too many apps can run in the background and drain your battery, use up your data, and interfere with other functions. To free up some space and speed up your phone, remove apps you don’t use or need. You can also disable or uninstall preinstalled apps that came with your phone.
In conclusion, our smartphones are essential to our lives, and we want them to last as long as possible. By taking care of our phones, such as using a phone case, keeping the software up to date, avoiding overcharging, cleaning the phone regularly, limiting the number of apps running in the background, and avoiding extreme temperatures, we can ensure that our phones last longer and continue to provide us with the benefits we need.
Our phones come with an optional insurance plan that protects you from these risks. Please send us a DM on Instagram to learn more.
