Winter weather puts you and your smartphone to the test. Whether you’re hiking, sledding, skiing or clearing snow, it’s worth bearing a few useful tips in mind. For example, batteries drain much faster in the cold, so it’s important to plan ahead and ensure you have a way to charge your phone before heading out. Sudden temperature changes, such as moving from the cold into a heated indoor space, can also cause condensation to form inside the phone and damage its electrical components. Although more and more smartphone vendors offer a certain level of water resistance, this feature may diminish over time. You should also consider whether to expose your phone to direct contact with water, such as in snowfall or rainfall, as this can cause permanent damage.
How to use your mobile phone safely in winter
The best solution is, of course, prevention. If your phone isn’t water-resistant, consider using a waterproof case and protective screen film. These accessories protect the handset from not only moisture, but also shocks and scratches. Alternatively, you can choose a water-resistant phone – smartphones are classified into different categories based on their water and splash resistance. Information about a handset’s water, splash and dust resistance is available from sales staff or on the vendor’s website. It’s important to note that these protective features may deteriorate over time, especially with phones that have been in use for a while.
Storage also matters: when kept in a trouser pocket, which offers only minimal protection, the phone is much more exposed to the cold, as well as to impact in the event of a fall. It is better to keep your phone in the zipped inner pocket of your jacket, where it is warmer and less likely to fall out, get wet or be damaged by impact. Using a phone with winter gloves on is often awkward or nearly impossible, and you are also more likely to drop the device. If you expect to use your phone, either take off your gloves or wear touchscreen-compatible ones. To preserve battery life, use power-saving mode, plan your next charging opportunity more carefully than usual and consider carrying a portable battery or power bank.
Hands off the hairdryer! If the worst has already happened
No matter how careful you are, your phone may still get wet. If this happens, turn it off immediately and do not try to switch it on or use it, as this could make the situation worse. If your phone has a removable battery, remove it to prevent a possible short circuit. Wipe the handset with a soft, dry cloth, taking care not to push water into the connectors or speaker. Avoid using a hairdryer or any other heat source, as excessive heat can damage internal components. Leave the wiped phone to air dry at room temperature in a well ventilated room. If possible, place it in a bowl of uncooked rice to help absorb moisture. Leave it to dry for at least 24 hours. If you notice any issues when you turn it back on afterwards, it is advisable to contact an authorised service centre. Remember that a phone can be damaged by water even if it appears to have dried successfully, so to prevent any unpleasant surprises, contact service staff if the phone turns on but behaves unusually.
Planning to do some winter sports abroad? Here’s what to watch out for!
Besides keeping your smartphone safe in everyday situations, it’s important to prepare your handset for travelling abroad. For example, before a ski trip, check the roaming zone of your destination and your subscription. In the EU and Zone 1, domestic rates apply. However, countries such as Switzerland and Serbia are in Zone 2, so it’s advisable to purchase a data package in advance to benefit from more favourable rates.
If the ski resort is near the border of a Zone 2 country, you should manually select one of the roaming networks listed on your operator’s website. This will prevent your phone from automatically connecting to a network in the neighbouring country with higher rates when you’re close to the border. To save roaming data, download any necessary apps (such as offline maps or a ski pass) in advance, and turn off automatic updates, as well as the use of mobile networks for uploading photos and videos.
Just as it’s wise to have travel and accident insurance for winter sports, you should also insure your mobile phone, since the risk of damage increases during such trips. At Yettel, insurance is available for both new and used handsets, even if the phone was purchased elsewhere. The basic package covers accidental damage, breakage and cracks.