If you are like most people, you already have your next cell phone planned out. In fact, it is estimated that the average American replaces his or her phone every two years. That’s more than any other country in the world, followed by the United Kingdom.
On the other end of the spectrum, people in India tend to keep their phones the longest. They replace them after an average of around eight years. While you may be eligible to replace your phone after two years, if you take good care of it you will find that it lasts for much longer.
Unless you happen to drop your phone and break or do something else that damages it beyond usability, you can extend the life of your phone. There are some things you can do to take care of your phone and make it last longer and look better along the way. Here are some things you can do to help take care of your phone:
1. Keep it dry
One quick way to destroy your phone is to get it wet. Be careful not to drop it in water or let it find its way into the washing machine. Put it away when it is raining, and if you plan to go out for a hike keep a Ziploc plastic bag in your pocket. If it does start raining that little bag will save your phone.
2. Watch the screen
Have a screen protector put on your screen and be sure to avoid putting it near keys, change, or anything that can scratch it. If you do happen to break or scratch the screen you can pay to have it replaced, rather than purchase a whole new unit. While you are at it, invest in a good case to help protect the phone from drops.
3. Avoid small hands
Kids may drop, scratch, or lose the phone. If you really want to protect your phone you will want to keep it out of the hands of children.
4. Wipe it clean
Research shows that phones become filled with germs. Wipe it down periodically to help keep it germ free. This is one that will protect you more than the phone.
5. Avoid extremes
Phones do not do well in extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. Heat can ruin your battery, so avoid keeping your phone sitting in the sun. The ideal temperatures are between 32 degrees and 95 degrees F. Anything below or above that and it can damage the phone.
6. Remove old apps
If you have apps you are not using and know you don’t want to use again, remove them from the phone. This will help free up space being used.
7. Transfer pictures
While it isn’t necessarily taking care of your phone, it will keep you feeling better. Be sure to periodically transfer your pictures to your home computer. That way, if the phone is lost or broken you won’t also lose all the pictures stored in it.
No matter how well you take are of your phone the time will come that you will want to replace it. But until it does, you can keep your phone running and looking good by following the tips above. Plus, it will keep it in good shape so you may be able to sell it when you are done with it, or pass it down to someone else in the family.