We take our phones everywhere, from bed to the bathroom, the beach to the boardroom. But according to Vidit Sehgal, founder and CEO of V4 IT, Australia's fastest-growing onsite tech service, we're loving our phones to death… quite literally.
"People baby their pets and pamper their plants, but treat their phones like they're indestructible," laughed Sehgal.
"The truth is, our daily habits are slowly frying, clogging, draining and glitching our devices and most people don't even realise it."
So, if you've ever wondered why your phone is getting slower, dying faster, or just acting weird, you might be guilty of one (or all) of some really bad tech crimes.
Sehgal explained that if people changed the way they treat their phone, it probably would last longer and not be prone to glitches or hacking.
Pressing it against your face (a lot)
"Makeup, hairspray, sweat, moisturiser hair gel - it's like a beauty salon assault on your phone every time you press it to your cheek," Sehgal said.
"It clogs your speaker mesh, fogs up your front camera, and makes Face ID throw a tantrum.
"Try using speaker mode or earbuds and give your phone a proper clean daily. It's not a crime scene, but it might look like one."
Leaving it to bake in the sun
"Phones left on dashboards, café tables, benches or windowsills in full sun might as well be on a barbecue," Sehgal said.
"Overheating can fry your battery, throttle your processor and make your phone shut down to protect itself," he said.
"It's not a tanning machine, keep it in the shade."
Treating it like a footy
"Throwing your phone onto the couch, across the bed, on to the bench or into your bag like a brick? That carefree toss is costing you," Sehgal said.
"Just because it bounced once doesn't mean it'll bounce next time. All those little knocks and landings can loosen internal components, damage your charging port or shatter your screen. It's a phone, not a boomerang.
"And don't be lulled into a false sense of security just because you spent a fortune on a case that is apparently made of military grade material. Nothing will save your phone if you continually bounce it around."
Running your battery down to zero - over and over
"Some people think letting their phone hit zero percent is good for it. It's not. That's battery abuse," Sehgal said.
"Aim to stay between 20 percent and 80 percent to keep your battery healthy and happy."
Ignoring software updates
"That "Remind me later" button might feel convenient, but it's a bad habit," Sehgal said.
"Skipping updates leaves your phone open to viruses, bugs and serious performance problems. Updates are like your phone's immune system, keep it strong."
Using bargain bin chargers
"That $5 cable you found at the servo? It could cost you a $1,000 phone. Cheap chargers can short- circuit your phone, damage your battery or even spark a fire," Sehgal said.
"Only use certified chargers from trusted brands."
Sleeping with your phone under your pillow
"It's warm, it's snuggly and it's a terrible idea. Your phone needs ventilation, especially while charging," Sehgal said.
"Charging it under your pillow increases fire risk and shortens battery life. Give it space to breathe."
Never backing it up
"You'll cry harder over lost baby photos than a cracked screen," Sehgal said.
"Back up your data, regularly. It's the cheapest insurance you'll ever have."
Treat your phone like the expensive, fragile, hard-working tech companion it is. A little extra care today could save you a lot of money and stress tomorrow.
"At V4 IT, we see the damage every day and most of it's preventable," Sehgal said.
"Your phone's not a toy. If you wouldn't do it to your laptop, don't do it to your phone."
About V4 IT
V4 IT, headquartered in Melbourne, is a leading provider of home and business IT support services in Australia. Since its inception in May 2022, V4 IT has rapidly expanded its footprint, now covering over 1,500 postcodes across the country. The company's mission is to become Australia's most trusted home IT service provider by delivering reliable and efficient online and onsite support to a growing customer base.
V4 IT specialises in:
- Home and business IT support: Comprehensive solutions tailored to meet individual and small business needs.
- Online and onsite support services: Flexible service delivery, ensuring convenience and efficiency.
- Nationwide coverage: Over 100 expert technicians providing assistance across more than 1,500 postcodes.
www.v4it.com.au
