Smartphones are expensive investments, and replacing them every two years can be costly. Moreover, frequent upgrades contribute to electronic waste, harming the environment.
Fortunately, with proper care, your phone can last for several years, saving you money and reducing waste. Follow these tips to Make Your Smartphone Last Longer.
also read: How to Unpair an Apple Watch: Step-by-Step Guide
Protecting your phone from physical damage is crucial. Using a durable case can prevent serious damage from accidental drops. Brands like Mous offer sturdy cases designed to handle rough conditions.
Additionally, adding a screen protector helps safeguard your display from scratches and cracks. Replacing a scratched screen protector is much easier and cheaper than replacing the entire display. By maintaining your phone’s outer protection, you ensure it remains in good condition for longer.
Your phone’s battery is often the first component to show signs of aging. Following these battery care tips can help prolong its life:
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Lithium-ion batteries degrade quickly in excessive heat. Avoid charging your phone when temperatures exceed 95°F (35°C).
- Charge Wisely: Don’t let your battery drain completely or remain at 100% for extended periods. Ideally, keep your phone’s battery between 20% and 80% for optimal performance.
- Use Slow Charging Methods When Possible: Fast charging generates more heat and can wear down the battery faster. Use standard charging if you’re not in a hurry.
If your battery performance declines significantly, consider replacing it rather than buying a new phone. Authorized repair services like Google’s Pixel repair centers, Apple stores, or iFixit kits provide reliable battery replacement options. This repair typically costs between $60 and $150, which is far less than purchasing a new device.
Installing software updates regularly is crucial for security and performance. Companies like Google and Samsung now provide up to seven years of software support for newer models like the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25. These updates ensure your phone stays secure from viruses and runs efficiently.
Even budget phones with shorter update periods can benefit from regular software maintenance. If your phone stops receiving updates, consider switching to a lightweight operating system like LineageOS to extend its usability.
A cluttered phone slows down performance and creates issues during software updates. Follow these steps to clear unnecessary data:
- Delete Unused Apps: Remove apps you no longer use.
- Backup Photos and Videos: Transfer large files to cloud storage or a computer.
- Clear Cache Files: Regularly clearing cache files can improve speed.
- Delete Old Messages: Texts with large attachments can consume significant storage.
For optimal performance, aim to keep your phone’s storage at around 80% capacity. If your phone still runs slowly, consider performing a factory reset to start fresh.
Dirt and dust can accumulate in your phone’s charging port and speaker grills, causing connectivity issues. To clean these areas safely:
- Use a dry toothbrush or a soft brush to remove debris.
- Avoid using sharp objects like pins, which may damage internal components.
- Regular cleaning helps ensure your phone charges properly and maintains clear sound quality.
Frequent charging can strain your phone’s battery. Using a reliable power bank can reduce this stress, especially when traveling.
Power banks like the Nimble Champ Pro (known for fast charging) and the Anker Prime (known for its large capacity) are ideal for keeping your phone charged without compromising battery health.
If your phone struggles to hold a charge despite careful maintenance, a battery replacement may be the best solution.
- For iPhones: Visit Apple’s official repair centers, Best Buy, or trusted repair shops.
- For Pixel Phones: Google’s authorized repair services and iFixit kits provide excellent solutions.
- For Samsung Phones: Although iFixit and Best Buy ended their partnership with Samsung, official Samsung repair centers still offer battery replacements.
A new battery can significantly improve your phone’s performance at a fraction of the cost of buying a new model.
The growing Right-to-Repair movement has pushed phone manufacturers to improve repairability.
- Apple improved the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16’s repair score to 7 out of 10.
- The FairPhone 5 earned top marks for repairability due to its modular design.
- Google Pixel 9 phones received lower repairability scores than previous models, but Google continues to support DIY repair options.
Right-to-repair laws in California and other US states now require companies to provide repair tools, documentation, and spare parts for several years after a phone’s release. This ensures older phones can be repaired and used longer.
Losing data can be frustrating, and hardware failures can happen unexpectedly. Regularly back up your important files using services like Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive. Cloud backups ensure you won’t lose valuable data if your phone is damaged.
When purchasing a new phone, consider models with extended software support:
- Google Pixel 8 and later models offer seven years of security updates.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 series also comes with seven years of updates.
- iPhones have historically supported older models for six to seven years.
Choosing phones with longer support ensures your device remains secure and functional for an extended period.
Excessive widgets and animations can drain your phone’s battery and slow performance. Disable unnecessary visual effects and minimize the number of widgets on your home screen. This simple step can improve your phone’s speed and efficiency.
Features like Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC consume battery life even when idle. Disabling these features when not in use helps conserve energy and extends your phone’s battery life.
Reducing your phone’s screen brightness and enabling dark mode can reduce battery consumption. Additionally, setting your screen timeout to a shorter duration helps conserve energy.
With proper care, your smartphone can last far longer than the typical two-year upgrade cycle. Adopting these strategies not only benefits your wallet but also helps reduce electronic waste, creating a positive impact on the environment.
So now you know everything about how to Make Your Smartphone Last Longer, Let us know in comments if you found these tips handy.