Mozilla is releasing an entire phone system. Samsung is launching the Galaxy Note 8.0 to take on the iPad Mini. Huawei unveiled the Ascend P2, the fastest smartphone in the world. The latest breaking news at the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, has revealed to us a frenzy of smartphones, tablets, phablets, and other new innovations that are guaranteed to get consumers salivating.
It has become exhausting to keep track of all the recent releases. This is why some people choose to stick loyally to a platform of choice. It’s easier to keep track of Apple and BlackBerry devices.
But when it comes to Android, the choices become dizzying. The person who wants to always have the “latest” and the “best” will not only have to keep his eyes peeled for the latest launches, but will also have to be ready to empty his wallet to gain the object of his desire. Given this scenario, there’s a need to ask yourself if you really need to replace your smartphone as often as you do.
According to statistics, the average American will own about three cellphones within a five-year period. However, if your two-year contract expires, you’d probably opt to buy a newer model. This means that mobile phones are one of the least sustainable gadgets. The Telegraph says that there were approximately £2.7 billion worth of unused mobile phones in Great Britain. Meanwhile, Australia had about 10 million unused cell phones. The U.S wasn’t to be beat, with 130 million mobile phones being replaced yearly.
How much do we actually recycle? — Only about 10 percent.
You can just imagine the environmental implications of these facts. Your mobile phones are practical and useful, but when they end up in the trash, they become an environmental hazard. Nickel, mercury, copper, lithium, cadmium, lead, and manganese are just a few toxic metals in your smartphone. Burning your cellphone releases toxic substances, which can be life-threatening to humans and animals. To reduce these harmful effects and to save you money, you can opt to use your smartphone for a longer time instead of disposing it.
But you may say that your phone’s battery sucks or the OS is laggy. These may be valid reasons to buy a new one. But after you do, be a smarter smartphone user and make your new gadget’s lifespan longer:
Choose rugged smartphones
Rugged smartphones can be waterproof and/or shockproof. While these phones are the practical choice, some people feel that their aesthetics aren’t so appealing. If you feel this way, check out the new Sony Xperia line of rugged smartphones. They’re not only great for an active lifestyle; they’re elegantly designed and can be used as business phones (click here) too.
Invest on protective cases
If you don’t want to go with a rugged smartphone then at least invest in a smartphone case. The best ones can get quite expensive. But this is a worthwhile investment if you can protect your phone from accidental drops or spills.
Back up your data
Place a backup of your smartphone data in your computer. When your phone becomes laggy, do a factory reset, remove the apps that you don’t need, and restore only the needed data.
Buy original batteries
Don’t risk damaging your phone with fake batteries. If your battery needs to be replaced, get one from the original manufacturer and keep the old one as a spare.
If there’s really no life left on your smartphone, choose to recycle it. You can be a responsible mobile user while enjoying the conveniences of your smartphone.
The author juggles being a wife to an engineer and a mother to a witty toddler. In her spare time, she involves herself in getting the word out about office phone systems. Find Monique on Google+.
