5 Simple Ways to Avoid Having a Broken Phone

5 Simple Ways to Avoid Having a Broken Phone

We all carry our mobile phones with us almost everywhere we go. Consequently, we expose them to all kinds of situations and hazards likely to cause damage. Manufacturers do build phones to withstand drops, bashes, scratches and even water, but they have their limits. We all know that feeling of dread when you drop your phone, it lands hard, face down on the pavement. Then, as you reach down to pick it up, you’re praying not to see a shattered screen. Well, here are some simple tips to avoid that dread and to help avoid having a broken phone.

1. Buy a Good Case

This is probably the most effective way to avoid a broken phone. That said, there’s no need to go for a crazy super-chunky bomb-proof case! In fact, good cases are often slim, light and well designed. Essentially, you need to protect the corners and the back and front from scratches. Some cases have a protective screen cover but often just having a raised rim on the case is enough to protect it. Alternatively, look at the many wallet/phone case combo’s out there.

2. Give Your Phone a Bit of TLC

A regular clean and wipe down works wonders to prevent a broken phone. Not only will a build-up of grime effect how your touch screen works, but it can also cause port failure. Furthermore, if you’re having trouble charging your phone, check the power port for debris. Dust and fluff often build up in the port and prevent a good connection to the charger. So, try carefully clearing the port with a cotton bud or toothpick. Go easy, you don’t want to damage it. If this still doesn’t work, drop into a phone repair shop.

3. Sitting On It Will Mean a Broken Phone

It’s a good idea to get out of the habit of putting your phone in your back pocket. After all, sitting on a wafer-thin piece of glass and delicate microchips usually doesn’t end well. Also, keep your keys and coins out of your phone pocket.

4. Buy Good Quality Chargers and Cables

Right, so you’ve invested in a $1000.00 miniature super-computer that also makes phone calls. Now is not the time to just plug it into anything. Most phones need a specific power (amps) and voltage for them to charge efficiently and safely. So, avoid the $10.00 copy and buy the original OEM chargers if you can. Or, make sure the cheaper one is an accredited manufacturer. Believe me, getting this wrong can end in disaster.

5. Use a Screen Protector

There’s no doubt that modern mobile phone screens are a triumph of technology. However, they are also the weakest part. So, for just a few dollars, you can add a strong layer of protection from scratches, dirt and drops with a simple screen protector. Furthermore, a replacement can be popped on in seconds with just your fingernails and a clean cloth.

If you’d like to find out more about avoiding a broken phone or to book a quick and easy phone repair, chat to us at SOS Phone Repairs today on 1800PHONES

How to Keep Your Old Phone Running Like New

In general, people seem quite happy with their current mobile phone. After all, we spend a fair bit of time researching which one to commit to next and we like to hang on to them. In fact, iPhone enthusiasts tend to keep their iPhone for three or four years, sometimes even longer.  So, even though you love your phone, it may be becoming slow or low on memory, perhaps it has some cosmetic damage, or maybe the mobile battery life is poor. But wait! Before you rush out and buy a new one, let’s look at some ways to keep your phone running like new.

Apply Software Updates When They Arrive

It’s important to download and install updates when they appear. This is for 2 main reasons. Firstly, they usually contain essential security updates and patches that’ll help keep your data safe. Secondly, they include bug fixes and software improvements. Often, these fixes will improve the responsiveness and battery life of your phone.

Free Up Some Space

People panic when it looks like their phone memory is getting full. Let’s face it, thousands of pictures and hundreds of videos will do just that! Now would be the time to consider a cheap cloud-based subscription so that your images and vids are stored online and not on your phone. For instance, Apple Photo and Google Photo are easy to use services that are cheap, quick and easy. And don’t worry, you can still browse all your images and instantly download them for viewing.

Invest in Mobile Battery Life

Reduced mobile battery life is a common issue across all mobile phones. In fact, both Android and iPhone allow users to see which apps are eating up their battery life and make changes. So, before investing, look up ‘Battery Usage by App’. Failing this, if your phone is showing a worn-out battery (look at Battery Health), consider buying a replacement using Apple’s battery replacement program. If your phone is under warranty, a replacement should be free.

Protection for Your Phone

Some folks are purists about their phone’s design and they don’t like to compromise it with a case. However, although mobiles are far more robust than ever, it’s still worth considering a case or screen protector. There’s a huge range available ranging from minimalist to super-tough military-type cases. Lastly, phone insurance from your carrier or phone manufacturer may be worth having. Especially if you want protection from damage, loss and theft.

Chat to our friendly team today at SOS Phone Repairs on 1800PHONES for a quote on screen repairs, replacement batteries, cases and screen protectors.

 

Top 5 Reasons to Repair a Cracked Phone Screen

Right after you pick up your dropped phone and realise to your dismay that the screen has indeed cracked, you’re hit with the second frustrating fact. Yep, now you’ve also got to find the cash, and the time, to repair your cracked phone screen. At this stage, it can be tempting to avoid a screen repair and carry on using the cracked screen. However, there are good reasons not to procrastinate! So, let’s have a look at the top 5 reasons to repair a cracked phone screen.

1. The Problem Can Quickly Get Worse

The obvious downsides of a cracked screen include poor legibility and function loss. But not so obvious is that your phone’s glass screen also maintains your phone’s integrity and strength. So, without an intact screen, the whole device becomes weaker and more flexible. This often leads to the initial problem getting worse, and quickly.

2. You May Cut Yourself

A shattered phone screen is annoying but it’s also dangerous. Incredibly, according to Business Insider, we touch our phone screens about 2600 times a day. This creates a lot of opportunities to receive a nasty cut or transfer a fragment of glass to your face or even into your food.

3. Your Phone is Exposed

Once your phone screen is cracked, you’re leaving it open to further damage. This is because your screen keeps your phone hermetically sealed. So, moisture, dust, and dirt, all pose a threat to the internal electronics of your phone.

4. A Cracked Phone Screen May Cause Malfunctions

Initially, your phone may keep functioning normally but sooner or later it’ll begin to malfunction. Touch screen tech needs a perfect surface to work correctly. Consequently, the longer you use your cracked screen, the greater the chances of internal contamination and phone failure.

5. Deciphering Your Display Becomes Difficult

It’s no fun trying to work out the wording of a mate’s Facebook post through a cracked screen. Moreover, try using Google maps to navigate!

Don’t delay, get your cracked screen repaired today! Chat to our friendly team at SOS Phone Repairs and get a great value, speedy repair while you wait. Call 1800Phones now.