How to make your smartphone last longer

Smartphones are more costly than ever before, most of us wish we could hold on to these phones longer than usual. Yet if you are searching and ready to commit for a long-time relationship with your smartphone, here are some things you should do to make your smartphone last longer.

Phone updates

As your shiny new gadget ages, so does its software. To keep devices running smoothly, manufacturers issue regular updates.

Apple releases annually a new version of iOS granting new abilities to iPhones but for Android, this is not always the case. It can take a while to get the latest updates. Only Google’s Pixel phones come close to Apple’s reputation when it comes to updating all their phones, so if you are concerned about a phone manufacturer’s reputation for providing OS security and updates, better do some research and consider if you can live with its compromises.

Many of us delay installing these updates because some updates cause bugs and performance issues, but did you know that you are also compromising the health of your phone and the safety of your valuable data and information if you do not update regularly? Also, with your applications automatically updating via Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store, these performance issues are bound to come anyway.

Protect your screen and your phone’s body

A smartphone screen is the most likely component to fail first. Even if you are using a cover, dropping your phone could break or smash the display. Typically, the screen is one of the priciest components to replace. So after you buy a new phone, make sure you prioritize getting a good quality screen protector and shockproof case for your lovely phone. Invest in an excellent shock-absorbing case, it will hurt your pocket a little, but it is worth the price for sure.

Battery health

Some users are not aware of checking their phone’s battery health. Battery manufacturers estimate that a phone’s battery power would degrade by 20 percent after around 400 cycles. It can only store up to 80% of the original capacity and will begin to degrade with additional cycles of charge. However, mobile batteries are more likely to fail faster than these manufacturers stated.

Avoid draining your phone battery to 0% or charging it to 100%. Phone batteries are happiest if you keep them above 20%  and below 90%. To be extremely precise, it is ideal to retain its capacity by around 50%.

If your phone has a Battery Health indicator, you can check it from time to time to be aware of your battery’s life.

Keep your phone at a comfortable temperature

Many people may not know that temperature plays a big part in extending your smartphone’s life. Put your phone on life support by keeping it in a happy tech environment, especially if you have a lithium-ion battery.

We have already tackled why smartphones overheat, so if you want to know more, click here.

Clean up your storage

General maintenance matters. If your smartphone has begun to slow down, the first thing you need to do is troubleshoot and check how much space you have. The memory will go pretty fast with so many games, videos, and photos. So, uninstalling some apps and using cloud storage can help.

When storage starts running out, you will see a substantial drop in device performance as you approach 80% of storage used. It is time for you to follow Marie Kondo’s steps in decluttering. Delete those apps that do not give you sparks of joy anymore.

There are a few ways to clean up your storage. For iOS users, go to Settings>General>Usage to view the apps that are grinding away at your storage. For Android devices, go to Settings>Storage.

Keep your phone clean

Over time a mobile phone can become incredibly gross, mainly if they were never cleaned. Some several ports and surfaces can easily get clogged with dirt and debris that can lead to a malfunction in your phone. Make sure to wipe it with microfiber to avoid scratches.

Treat your phone carefully to make sure it will last as long as you want. Avoid keeping it around water or sticky surfaces, and handle it with caution at all times.

Phones are incredibly costly but essential, so get them a good case and keep the battery in good shape as long as possible. It’s better to be sure than sorry. However, some of these tips work on a case-to-case basis. It depends on how you use your phone. If you overuse, abuse, or if your phone does not have a good reputation when it comes to parts and builds, there is no guarantee that your phone will last long for 2 years or more.

How about you, how long do you have that phone in you? Let us know in the comments.