Source: Kevin Maillefer on Unsplash

Winter is approaching: How to protect your smartphone

16. November 2018 Published by Raphael Doerr

The temperatures are still ten degrees and more and so, of course, much too warm for this time of year. Yet winter with its icy temperatures is bound to strike at some time or other. To make sure your smartphone doesn’t suffer die of hypothermia, we’ve compiled five tips and tricks that are guaranteed to protect it.

Tip number 1: Protection for the battery

The battery is often particularly vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and so needs to be well-protected, especially in the winter. The colder it is, the sooner batteries lose power and the less energy they absorb. That’s because the chemical processes in them slow down sharply at temperatures below freezing point. The longer it stays cold, the greater the risk that your smartphone simply switches off. Incidentally, the same also goes for power banks. It’s therefore important for you to know at what temperature your smartphone stops working. It’s -20 degrees for the new Gigaset GS185. So you’re safe and sound with our device up to that point. It’s also best to recharge the battery at room temperature. You’re best advised to put it in your bag or trouser pocket, where the temperatures are warmer and, in particular, don’t fluctuate as much. And when you’re called, use a headset.

Tip number 2: Protection for the display

Like the battery, the display also struggles when faced with extreme temperatures. Have you ever been in a situation where your display simply didn’t respond anymore? That’s due to the chemical processes – the liquid crystals in the display freeze and it responds more slowly. You can easily protect your phone by wrapping it up as thickly as possible, such as with felt or wool, and with a screen protector. If you’re outside for a lengthy time or have forgotten your smartphone in the car, leave it turned off for a while so that it can slowly acclimatize itself to the warmer temperatures. Because if your smartphone becomes too warm all of a sudden, condensation may form – and, of course, that is harmful to your smartphone.

Tip number 3: Protection for your hands

And since we’re on the subject of the display, it goes without saying that your hands also need to be protected. Touchscreen gloves are now commonly available. But beware: Not all of them are actually good. So it’s best to try them out briefly in the shop before buying them. If you don’t want to part with your favorite gloves, one simple alternative is to sew conductive threads through their fingertips – that works just as well.

Tip number 4: Protection against the wet

Condensation is harmful to your smartphone – if you didn’t know that, you do now from tip number 3. If you notice condensation forming, quickly switch your smartphone off and remove the battery – fortunately, that’s extremely simply with our GS100 and GS180 models, for example. Turn the phone back on when the condensation has disappeared. And always remember: Snow is frozen water – and hence a dangerous source of humidity for your smartphone. A headset for phoning is once more the best tip here. For all winter sports enthusiasts among you: Put the phone in a separate breast pocket to protect it against sweat and knocks if you fall.

Tip number 5: Use a second phone

Of course, a winter’s walk is very beautiful and you want to forget the smartphone and instead focus on the countryside and your family. So the ultimate tip is to use a cheaper or older second phone when you’re out and about. We can recommend an ideal second device for you, for example, our GS100.