The gruelling summer is now over and the rains are finally here. Though the rains are a relief for us they can be fatal for our mobile handsets. Consumer electronics and water don’t go well together and any kind of contact with water can cause a short circuit in the gadget, damaging it.
Since smartphones are electronic devices you carry with you almost everywhere, it not only will stand to harm the device but also puts the data in it at risk. We give you some tips to protect your beloved smartphone in the rain.
If you own devices that claim to be waterproof skip to the last point directly; others read on.
Plastic, Its fantastic!
The most inexpensive way of protecting your smartphone is to put it in a plastic bag. It does provide protection to some extent but isn’t extremely reliable. If a phone is wrapped properly in a plastic bag it can provide excellent protection from the rains. But at the same time packing unpacking becomes a chore and the phone cannot be used with the plastic bag on.
Zip it,lock it
Ziplock bags are an upgrade over plastic bags and provide improved protection. Ziplock bags are not only easy to use but also look acceptable when compared to a plastic bag. The steps are simple, pop the phone in the bag, lock it and you are good to go. With the monsoon here the covers are now available at mobile stores and roadside vendors for as little as Rs. 5. A little investment goes a long way in protecting your device in the monsoons.
Phones can be protected from rain and moisture using plastic and ziplock bags, these are inexpensive methods to save the phone. One downfall is that the phones cannot be used with these on, the phone needs to be removed in order to be used.
Waterproof cases
The best way to protect against rains & keep your phones full functionality intact is to get a waterproof case. These cases are tailor made to the dimensions of the phone and fit like a glove. There are several brands out there, but these cases are handset specific and might not be available for all handsets easily. Also these cases are expensive and you may not want to spend so much just for the rains. Though a lot of these cases are also rugged and protects against drops and bumps too.
Reduce Direct Usage During Rains
Reducing the number of times you use your phone in the rain will reduce the risk of water damage to the phone. Using the wired headset will save your phone from the rain while you take calls. The headset that comes with the handset can be used with the phone tucked away in the pocket. The headset is at a risk of getting damaged but lets face it, its cheaper to replace a headset than a cellphone. Also using a headset removes changes of water seeping through the phone via your fingers.
Bluetooth Headset
The prices of bluetooth headsets have dropped drastically with some costing as low as 700 bucks. These headsets provide the same functionality as wired when it comes to keeping the phone safely tucked away. Bluetooth helps to get rid of the wire mess, the phone can also be stored away in your bag while you answer calls. This can be one of the smartest ways to remain available for calls during rains.
Waterproof Phones, Aha!
At this point the ones who have bought waterproof phones are grinning. Phones like the Sony Xperia Z2 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 are water resistant flagship devices. The phones available in the market are waterproof or water resistant, these phones are manufactured in such a way that they are waterproof only under some conditions (eg. only upto 50 metres). You still need to take some precautions tough, water resistant phones can repel water to some extent but don’t guarantee complete protection. Care should be taken not to drench the phone in the rains, waterproof phones have flaps on ports which need to be securely shut. Without the flaps properly secured the phones can get water damaged.
Well now that you know how to protect your smartphone in the rains, go ahead and enjoy the weather.
