An iPhone is a considerable investment and it’s important to take care of your investments. There are a variety of accessories available to iPhone owners that not only help keep your iPhone safe and protected, but also improve the user experience. In fact, many accessories even alleviate or completely resolve small issues that are common with iPhones.
Here are a few iPhone gadgets that users should consider purchasing.
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A Case
Almost everyone who owns an iPhone knows that a case is a must-have. iPhones are inherently fragile and susceptible to scratches. While a minor scratch is simply an aesthetic concern, a major crack can decrease the life of your iPhone and even cause you minor injury.
Often, iPhone users have concerns about the weight or bulk of an iPhone case. After all, part of what is so appealing about iPhones is their sleek, thin design. Fortunately, many companies have created lightweight, thin cases that can protect against minor bumps and scratches. These lighter options may not offer protection against larger accidents, but they do provide some peace of mind by protecting the phone’s shiny exterior.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are larger, bulkier cases that are waterproof and shockproof. These are perfect for outdoor adventurers or people who work in manual jobs like construction or factory work.
Some of these more protective cases also have rubber tabs to protect your headphone jack and charger slot. When those little spots collect dirt and dust, the inside of your phone can be damaged.
As an added bonus, a creatively colored case or one with a unique pattern can help you quickly identify your phone when you’re in a room full of other iPhone users.
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A Screen Skin
While iPhone cases protect most of your phone, they don’t offer any protection for the phone’s screen. The screen is the most heavily-used part of the phone, and it’s also at risk of being scratched when placed in a pocket or purse with keys and other items.
Once your screen is scratched, it can be difficult to see your phone’s interface. Unfortunately, replacing the screen is often costly.
Screen protectors are affordable and easy to attach to the front of your phone. They provide a thin layer of protection from small dings and can keep your screen looking new for a long time to come.
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A Multi-Port Charger
Outlet space is a precious commodity.
With a multi-port charger, you can charge multiple USB devices at one time. Not only does this mean no more family squabbles about who gets to charge their phone first, but it also means you can charge your phone, iPod, iPad, and other electronics simultaneously.
Multiport chargers come in a variety of different sizes and styles. Most provide you with an extra two to four USB ports, but some have as many as six USB slots for your devices. Some plug directly into the wall while others sit on your desk or the floor and operate more like a power cord.
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A Portable Battery
Few things are worse than running out of battery and having no way to charge your phone. A portable battery allows iPhone users to have a safe reserve a battery power for those times when there isn’t a wall outlet or charger available.
Portable battery options are plentiful for any generation of iPhone. If you want to reduce the number of accessories you own, there are many cases that double as portable batteries. Some companies make card-sized battery packs that fit into your wallet. You can even find tiny chargers that fit on your key ring and provide you with an extra twenty or thirty minutes of battery life in an emergency.
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A Car Mount
While texting and driving is dangerous, many people use the iPhone in other, safer ways while in the car. Often, iPhones act as a GPS and stereo when users are on the road.
A car mount is a highly useful tool for safely operating your iPhone in a vehicle, allowing you to go “hands-free” and operate using voice commands.
Some car mounts connect directly into a CD player – these, of course, wouldn’t a great choice for someone who still listens to a lot of CDs in the car. Fortunately, others attach to the slots of a car’s air conditioning vent.
Most car mounts will be usable with any version of iPhone, but be sure to confirm this before purchasing anything.
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AirPlay Speaker
The days of iPhone-docking speakers are over. Why have your phone sitting in a dock when you can wirelessly connect to speakers?
AirPlay speakers are specifically suited to operating with an Apple device. They are all wireless and many of them are sleek and compact, while still providing excellent sound quality.
If you ever want to play music from a non-Apple device, you’ll need to consider purchasing a wireless Bluetooth speaker that has a wide range of connectivity options. But for iPhone users, AirPlay speakers are a solid choice.