In today’s fast-paced world, smartphones have become indispensable. These devices are one’s communication hub, entertainment source, and personal assistant. With an increasing dependence on these devices, it becomes crucial to use them correctly for prolonged longevity. However, many people inadvertently make common mistakes while handling smartphones that can affect their health and performance. So, here are some mistakes that can harm one’s smartphone and tips on how to avoid them. Not unplugging the phone When a smartphone stays plugged in even after the charging is complete, it experiences a continuous flow of electricity to maintain that charge, resulting in added strain on the battery. This can lead to excess heat, which ultimately contributes to potential damage. To preserve the battery’s health and longevity, it’s advisable to unplug the phone as soon as it reaches its charging potential rather than letting it remain plugged in unnecessarily. Charging the smartphone overnight Leaving a smartphone plugged in overnight might seem convenient, but it’s a mistake that strains the phone’s battery. This continuous charging, often called “trickle charging,” can lead to the battery slowly losing its capacity over time. It eventually leads to an overall diminished battery life and reduced performance. Letting the battery drain fully Many smartphone users may have the habit of using their device until the battery drains completely to 0%.

Smartphones have become an inseparable part of most people’s lives. Owing to the constant reliance on them, individuals are always concerned about their phone’s battery percentage and keeping it charged throughout the day. However, in doing so, they often make inevitable mistakes that could prove costly, severely damaging the phone’s functioning and battery life. To ensure smartphones’ longevity and optimal performance, avoiding common charging mistakes, such as the following, is crucial. Charging the phone to 100% It is a common misconception that charging the phone 100% is the most effective way to use it. However, this practice can cause harm to one’s device in the long run. Smartphones, like many other electronic devices, have limited charge cycles. If one constantly charges the phone to full capacity, one will quickly use up all of these cycles. Once the charge cycles are depleted, the phone’s battery capacity will decrease, negatively impacting its overall functionality. To avoid this, it is recommended that one charges the smartphone only once a month and, at other times, only up to 80% for optimal battery lifespan. By following these guidelines, one can extend the phone’s battery’s life and ensure it continues functioning properly over time. Letting the phone discharge completely Letting a smartphone discharge completely, as in, letting the battery reach 0% and shut down, is an equally detrimental practice.

While mobile phones are necessary devices, they can be expensive. One has to not only spend on purchasing the phone but also pay for the service plan. These costs can quickly add up to substantial expenses, especially for those with a limited monthly budget. However, one can save on these expenses by exploring resources to get a mobile phone for free or at discounted rates. Here are some ways to get a free mobile phone. Government assistance programs One of the first resources that one can check out for free mobile phones is government assistance programs. Among these, one of the most popular is the Lifeline program. This initiative offers smartphones free of cost or even at discounted prices for those who are part of these federal programs – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamp Program) Medicaid Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Public Housing Program Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension There are several eligibility criteria one must adhere to in order to get a free mobile phone. For example, one’s earning must be less than 135% of the federal poverty guidelines of each year. This means, the earnings must be less than $16,862 for a household of one person.