Protect Your Phone In Summer & Winter

Protect Your Phone In Summer

With a name like Galaxy, Samsung’s best smartphone gives the impression of infinite durability. But you should still invest in a case to protect that expensive purchase. Here are our top 5 best Galaxy cases.

1.  S-View Clear Flip Cover ($40 on Amazon)

Samsung has outdone Apple with its clear-view flip cover, allowing you to view the time and notifications without lifting a finger. The design includes a notification bar that gives quick access to key features without having to unlock your phone and remove the cover. S-View Clear Cover also provides a hard plastic bumper for every case of the butterfingers, and it effortlessly snaps into place.

2.  A Stylish Otter ($36 on Amazon)

 

The OtterBox Defender series has a reputation for being the industry standard for protection. But it finally decided to branch out and be a bit more fashion forward with its Symmetry series.

I’m not a big fan of floral prints, but I know plenty who would love to carry the Anthurium model in their pockets. I’d probably go with a more traditional City Blue.

3.  Spigen Ultra Hybrid ($25 on Spigen)

The only thing better than a fashionable cover is a cover that’s barely there at all. For those who want to maintain the Galaxy’s trademark, sleek design, Spigen offers durable, transparent cases for everyone. And it’s slim enough to fit into a skinny jeans’ pocket.

4.  Bear Motion ($8 on Amazon).

At just $7.99, you can’t beat the value of Bear Motion. It may not have the lifetime warranty of other cases, but for the average user, it’s probably more than enough protection.

5.  Carved Satellite ($59 on Carved.com)

If you’re looking for something jaw-dropping but not déclassé, Carved Satellite cases bring a touch of the natural world to handheld modernity. It is rustic style without being obnoxiously hipster.

3 Ways to Protect Your Phone In Winter

Statistically, summer is the most dangerous time for smart devices, but frigid winter temperatures can damage a device just as much as a sweltering summer day. An exposed phone in freezing temps can drastically decrease performance, and immersion in snow and ice can cause permanent damage.

It also doesn’t help that a third of users either lose or break their smartphones, typically within ten weeks of purchase. Here’s a winter wrap-up of ways to weather every storm.

1.  Test the Temperature

Checking the temperature before you head out is the low-hanging fruit of accident prevention. Though an iPhone can withstand temperatures below freezing, its recommended operating temperature is still 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above, according to Apple. Lower temperatures mean lower performance and increased risk of battery failure.

That’s probably why “What’s the temperature?” is my most frequently asked question to Siri. She quickly lets me know if I need to bundle up my phone.

There’s nothing worse than a dead battery that could have been easily prevented before going out. Scientific tests show that devices totally shut down around -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

2.  Heat it up Slow

If you’ve been shoveling snow for hours while jamming out to your snow day playlist, condensation can form inside your device if you heat it up too quickly. Yes, it is possible to cause water damage without directly getting the phone wet. Don’t subject your smartphone to a sudden swing in temperature that could leave its circuitry too wet to work.

If your phone becomes glitchy or slow, you may want to follow these steps to avoid any type of permanent damage.

I also personally invested in gloves with conductive thread. Now, I never have to worry about fumbling with my gloves and sending my phone into an icy gutter. Outdoor winter sports fans are particularly at risk.

3.  Keep it Wrapped Up

Expensive smartphone glass can go from flexible to brittle if exposed to below-freezing temperatures, making a slip or drop much more dangerous. Keep your phone in a warm, interior pocket and don’t leave it in your car overnight. Just like a black leather interior on a sunny summer day, a subzero car can be ruinous. Jack Frost isn’t too kind to lithium ion.

Salt Cases use NASA technology to thermally protect devices in the most extreme climates. But a standard QuikCell protector will also do the trick for anyone who isn’t preparing for the first mission to Mars.

Cases aren’t only for those clumsy drops. Protect your phone to help it retain heat and survive the snowy outdoors.