Author: rliftadmin

We can all admit it — cell phones are a large investment. The newer the model, the more money you are bound to put down. And although cell phone providers offer payment plans for your new phone, it still can hurt your wallet.

If your phone is damaged beyond repair and you need a replacement, why not purchase a refurbished phone? Refurbished phones are much less expensive than a newer model and can work just as well.

Or do they? Let’s take a look at refurbished phones and if it’s worth the investment.
 

What’s the Difference Between Refurbished and Used Phones?

Despite what you may think, refurbished phones are not the same as used phones. Unlike that used phone that was handed down from your aunt, a refurbished phone has gone through a thorough inspection process. Every feature on the phone goes through rigorous testing and if something isn’t working properly, it’s repaired. All data on the phone is wiped away as if the phone came straight from the factory. In some cases, refurbished phones will come with a limited warranty.

Not so with that used phone. Usually sold as-is, it may still have the previous owner’s data on the phone. And who knows what may be wrong with the phone! Plus, no warranty.

So if you want to purchase a previously owned phone, go for the refurbished model.
 

Is Buying a Refurbished Phone Worth It?

Knowing what a refurbished phone, you may still be asking the question, “Why should I buy one?” Sure, we all want the latest and greatest model, but there are several advantages to buying a refurbished phone.

It Saves Money

As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll save money by purchasing a refurbished phone. These phones can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than that new iPhone you’ve been eying. Plus, with the advantage of a warranty, you’ll be protected in case something should happen.

The Technology is Known

A new phone generally comes with new technology. It takes time to learn this technology and can lead to frustration. But a refurbished phone probably has the same technology you’ve been using all along. No learning curve is needed!

You Protect the Environment

As we’ve mentioned in a previous blog, cell phones are made with approximately 30 rare elements that are depleting at an alarming rate. By purchasing a refurbished cell phone, you’re preventing another cell phone from going into the landfill.
 

Know What You’re Purchasing

Ok, you’re convinced. You want to purchase a refurbished phone. But before you do, you need to know what you’re getting into. Keep these tips in mind:

• Shop with a reputable company that offers a warranty. If there’s no warranty with the phone, consider another retailer.
• Do a little research to see which is the right model for you. Maybe you want the same model that you’re replacing. Or maybe you’re going with a newer model. Know what you want to buy.
• And if technical problems should arise, make sure you ask the retailer about the returns policy.

Remember, not every company refurbishes phones the same way. So you want to make sure you’re buying from a reputable supplier, such as iDropped. At our new Steamtown Mall location, we have a range of refurbished phones for sale. If you’re interested in purchasing a refurbished phone, contact your closest iDropped store to see if we have any available, or stop by the store!

Does it seem like your cell phone’s battery just doesn’t hold a charge anymore? Even after a full night of charging, the battery starts draining as soon as you take it off the charger. What’s going on?

We’ve all had issues with our phone’s batteries. And before you give the phone up and start searching for a new phone, iDropped has a few tips you can follow to bring life back to your battery.

Why is Your Phone’s Battery Draining So Fast?

There are many reasons behind a fast-draining battery. From something as simple as the brightness of your screen to something a little more complex, it’s important to know what is causing the drain. Here are a few of the most common culprits to killing your cell phone’s battery:

• Screen brightness: Your cell phone’s screen is killing your battery. The brighter and more resolution the screens, the more likely it’s draining your power.
• Apps: Even when you’re not using these apps, they can hurt your battery life. Popular apps such as your social media platforms are always running in the background to keep you connected at all times.
• Phone age: It’s true what they say, the older the phone, the more likely your battery will lose performance over time. According to a recent article in Popular Mechanics, a high-end battery can lose about 20 percent of its capacity after 1,000 charge cycles.
• Cell phone services: Constantly keeping your phone’s Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi on even when you’re not using it can steadily drain your battery.

Is There a Way to Fix the Battery Drain?

Fortunately, many of the factors that are draining your battery can be fixed without the need for a cell phone repair shop.

Your first step is to see what programs are causing the drain. Check the battery use in your settings, you will see a list of what apps had used the largest percentage of your battery life. From there, you may consider either removing those apps or finding ways to lower their usage.

One way is to try limiting your apps from using your location services to only when you’re using them. This will prevent them from running in the background. You can also utilize your phones’ battery saving mode which lowers the brightness of your display and stops background activity such as downloads.

Speaking of your display, lowering the brightness of your display can help your battery’s life immensely! You always want to keep the live wallpaper backgrounds at a minimum. Turning on Dark mode can also help save your battery’s life.

Finally, try draining your battery completely at least once a month, followed by a full, uninterrupted charge. This can help with the operating system recognizing when the battery is fully charged.

How iDropped Can Help

But even after all that, what if your battery continues to keep draining? Before buying a new phone, you may want to consider getting a new battery from iDropped. Contact your nearest retail location to get a new battery today!