9 Tips To Make Your Cell Phone Last
Electronics are big-ticket items, so it makes sense to do everything you can to make them last as long as possible. Here are my tips for extending the lifespan of cellphones:
- Don't charge your battery any longer than it takes to reach a full charge. Otherwise, you risk overheating and a reduction in power capacity.
- If you have a spare battery, alternate it regularly with the one that's in your phone. Leaving it unused will reduce its life.
Related: 9 Steps to Reduce Cell Phone Radiation
- If you have to replace the battery, buy one that's authorized by the manufacturer of your phone.
- Set your screen so that it turns off after a period of inactivity
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you don't need them.
Related: How Your Smartphone Can Compromise Your Privacy
- Avoid using your phone in poor reception areas.
- Turn your phone off overnight or when you won't be using it for a long period of time.
- If your mobile drops in the pool (or toilet!), take the battery out immediately, and bury it in dry rice. The kernels will soak up the water and hopefully return it to working order.
Related: How We Test: Smartphones
Not sure whether to keep or toss your phone? As a phone's average lifespan is 2 to 4 years, invest in a new one if the repairs will cost more than half as much as a new one. But, as the battery's most likely the problem, it may be worth trying a new one before replacing the entire phone. If yours is beyond repair, check out our review of smartphones.
Check out Good Housekeeping's Inside the Institute blog to find out how to extend the life of your HDTV, too. And stay tuned. Next week we'll post tips on how to extend the life of your laptop and printer!
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Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
