Extended play: How to make all your gadgets last longer
Every device will need replacing one day. Cheat Death by treating your tech better, so it lives on, even as upgrades hit the shelves
Ever grumbled that tech doesn’t last these days? That you have to replace your phone, laptop or kitchen gadget every year? It might be a You problem. “The idea that devices fail with time is a myth,” says Jingyansu Choudhury, founder and CEO of the tech-repair platform, Techyuga. “They’re more likely to fail with neglect.”
In India, battery degradation, overheating, damaged ports, broken screens and dusty motherboards are the most common reasons for people wanting to abandon their devices. Here’s what we’re doing wrong, and how to fix it.
Phones and tablets. Nakul Kumar, co-founder of the device resale platform Cashify, says that phones should last an individual user for six years. But in Indian cities, a phone will typically have three users over six years. People lose patience the moment a phone or tablet lags. Kumar’s hack: “Spend a day transferring your data to another device. Reformat your phone. Then copy the data back. It’s not revolutionary, but if you do this a few times every year, it will improve the device’s performance by leaps and bounds.”
Delete old messages, GIFs, videos, and photos every month, recommends Purusharth Malik, a tech blogger. “And leave at least 5 GB of storage free at all times,” so it’s not gasping for breath when it’s working.
Chargers. If you need a new charger every few months, it’s likely because you’re not using company-made ones, says Malik. OG chargers have adaptive tech, which stops transmitting power when the gadget is fully powered up. Don’t swap chargers and devices; an incompatible combo can ruin both.
Everyone knows that you’re not supposed to charge your device overnight or use it while it’s plugged in. “What they may not know is that the optimal battery range is between 20% and 80%,” says tech-content creator Naman Deshmukh. “Don’t let the power drop to 0% and then charge it to 100%. It’s not good for battery health.”
Laptops and PCs. “In India, devices are most affected by dust and heat,” Kumar says. “So, if you can, open up the laptop and use a hairdryer on low mode to blow away the dust. Or get it professionally serviced once a year.” It’s cheaper than replacing the whole thing. Keeping it in Sleep mode, rather than powering it up every day. This uses up less memory and keeps the device going longer. “Shut it down over the weekend, to give it a break.”
E-readers. Taking a Kindle into a humid environment such as a bathroom or kitchen can corrode the hardware. Get a protective cover, charge it only when necessary – with its dedicated USB cord, not your phone charger, says Choudhury. And keep it on airplane mode when it’s not syncing. It saves energy.
Wearable devices. “Even water-resistant gadgets aren’t built for thermal stress. So, avoid hot showers, saunas, or extreme cold while wearing them,” says Choudhury. Update the firmware periodically. “Brands often push updates that improve battery management and optimise background processes.”
Extras. Save the spare earbuds that came with your earphones. “You’re supposed to replace them every few months, to avoid dust, sweat and dirt build up,” says Kumar. Deshmukh’s personal ick is when people use their T-shirts or handkerchiefs to wipe the LCD display or lens of their camera. “Never, ever do that. Use a microfibre cloth – it’s made for the delicate surface.” And air your camera in indirect sunlight every month, especially if you don’t use it often. “This will destroy any fungus build up, which is often what destroys expensive cameras.”
Home appliances. Voltage stabilisers are a good investment, says Choudhury. “A spike can kill a ₹10,000 appliance in one second.” Try not to use an air fryer multiple times in the same day – the repeated heat-and-cool cycle isn’t good for the tech. For microwaves and OTGs, keep a bowl of water and caustic soda inside them when they’re not in use, so that there’s no oxidation build-up. Restart WiFi routers every once in a while. “With basic attention, these appliances can easily last five to seven years without a hiccup.”
From HT Brunch, May 17, 2025
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