I write tech reviews. For a long time, the iPhone was something I looked forward to reviewing each year. However, they’ve just gotten a little disappointing. Updates to the processor and camera have been minimal, at best. In fact, in many ways, the camera may have actually gotten worse. I got an iPhone 13 mini, but that was largely due to the fact that Apple added a larger battery over the iPhone 12. Then Apple stopped releasing mini models and, frankly, the iPhone 14 looked like little more than a repackaged iPhone 13, so I wasn’t even remotely tempted.
Breaking the cycle made me realize that I could be doing something better. Sure, the iPhone every year program was only a little more expensive than buying an iPhone every two years, but what about every three years? Four years? The environment would certainly thank me. My wallet, too. So I decided, this iPhone 13 mini has to last for years. That means caring for it. But how could I care for my iPhone even more than I was already? Mostly? It comes down to keeping it safe and keeping the battery healthy as long as I could. Then I could keep this iPhone 13 mini running for many years, perhaps outlasting the whole concept of smartphones!
Unless Apple releases an iPhone 15 mini with USB-C and the same camera as the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Then all bets are off. However, considering Apple’s boneheaded decisions of late, I don’t anticipate any temptation.
In This Article:
Protect Your Phone!
You can’t use a broken phone. Studies have shown that it provides a bad first impression to would-be dates too. Glass can cut your fingers, hardware can get loosened, batteries can explode, etc. You don’t want a broken iPhone. Obviously, you’ll want to start with a case. Your case doesn’t have to be something super bulky. In fact, a bulky case could make your phone more difficult to hold and therefore more likely to drop. You need something that’s easy to grip, fits well in your hand, and provides adequate drop protection. TPE is likely the best material for the sides, with TPU being a decent choice as well. Plain silicone won’t cut it. Many compostable cases are up to the task, but add bulk for that protection. Still, isn’t it nice to do something good for the environment? Ultra slim cases won’t be helpful, but something between 1mm and 2mm of thickness could save your phone from a drop.
Screen Protectors Too
You may want a screen protector as well. A drop onto a sharp corner or object could cause an impact directly on the glass. You have two main options for screen protectors, a film and glass. Glass will shatter to save your screen, but will likely absorb enough impact for most situations, you’ll just have to replace it a few times a year, depending on how clumsy you are. It’s also quite scratch resistant. However, you may want something that won’t ever shatter. Film, while not quite as clear as glass, can absorb a larger impact. Also, if your screen does break, it can hold the glass together, making replacement easier. It could also save your fingers until you can get the screen replaced.
For years I’ve been using ArmorSuit’s film protectors because I like their wet application, which leads to no bubbles or dust getting trapped. You can also find good ones from Rhinoshield, I’ve heard, and Mous has hybrid protector as well. I do recommend getting “case-friendly” versions as, unless you’re buying your screen protector and case from the same company, you’ll likely find some cases mess up your screen protector. That’s what lead me to order the Mous* Hybrid Glass screen protector for my next one, as the ArmorSuit one I’m using now is just a little too large for some of my cases (though they do make a more case-friendly version).
*Update: The Mous one was larger than my ArmorSuit, and the application process lead to dust and wasted one of my protectors due to a bit of wiggle. Overall, I’m sticking with ArmorSuit. The wet install is so quick and easy, and produces the best results.
Get a Grip!
Finally, you may want something that can improve your grip on your device. PopSocket has some excellent MagSafe grips, as well as grips for other devices. There are other options, like phone loops and rings, but my preferences if for PopSocket’s MagSafe versions, because of how easy they are to remove for wireless charging. Improving your grip means fewer drops!
I do want to recommend against rings, especially MagSafe rings. Not only can they get caught on your finger and improve the chance of fumbling, many fold flat in a way that prevents them from having enough magnets and surface area on the phone to enhance grip. Still, if it works for you, go for it! Whatever keeps your phone in your hand and not falling to the floor.
Battery Life for Days!
Everyone wants longer battery life. Unfortunately, Apple and others refuse to just give us slightly thicker devices that have longer battery life. Preserving your day to day battery life can also improve your long term battery life. The less you use your battery now, the longer it’ll last you. Batteries lose their maximum capacity over time, but you can work to protect it.
On on OLED device, you can enable dark mode. OLED displays light up individual pixels, and dark mode will use less power. You can also use low power mode when you’re not using your phone much, such as at work.
You’ll also want to remove background services. Look through the apps you have installed and remove any you don’t use frequently. Turn off push notifications for apps where it’s not important, and turn off location services in any app except those that wouldn’t work without it. Even then, you can set them to only use your location while you’re using the app.
Unless you’re using 5G a lot, you can also turn off 5G. LTE is still plenty fast enough, and uses less power than 5G. On the iPhone, it will automatically use LTE instead of 5G if it’s trying to save battery life, but you can also force it into this battery saving mode.
Finally, if you’re noticing your battery just doesn’t last long enough or your phone is slowing down to make up for the reduced battery capacity, just replace it. Apple does battery replacements for a range of prices, but generally under $100. This can keep your iPhone feeling like new, even five years after you bought it. Apple updates their devices for many years after release, so my recommendation for a good phone investment will always be an iPhone.
Keep it Useful
When you’re buying your new phone, get as much storage as you can. You can also use external storage for many devices, even the iPhone. You can also take Apple up on their iCloud storage for backups and photos. Apple has finally allowed users to encrypt their entire iCloud account, which you should do as soon as you can to protect your data and privacy. You can also use third party services, like ProtonDrive, which was built from the ground up with privacy in mind. Storage can keep you using your devices longer. Don’t be afraid to spread out how you store photos, videos, and documents to keep your phone useful longer.
Getting Off the Hamster Wheel
I couldn’t help it. I had to have the latest tech all the time. I just felt like I was missing out. Sure, Apple and others haven’t improved their smartphones very much in the past few years. We’ve perhaps seen slightly better cameras, but improvements simply haven’t been worth it for years. The modern smartphone is still just a boring slab of glass, with few exceptions. A lack of competition and innovation has made smartphones boring and upgrades pointless. Now you can save money and the environment with some careful use of your devices. Take advantage of the tech cycle slowing down to a crawl.