What are the best iPhone accessories in the year 2020?

What are the best iPhone accessories in the year 2020?

Apple’s iPhones are arguably the best hand held devices in the world. From their cameras to the proprietary processors, Apple iPhones are leading the world with innovative designs, and sheer day-in-day-out performance. In 2019 Apple released three iterations of the iPhone, namely, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. iPhone 11 being the most reasonably priced model, featuring the most bang for the buck, but iPhone 11 Pro Max stood unrivaled in terms of being the absolute best. Apple is renowned for their software support and that is clear by the software updates that are still being rolled over to the air to older iPhone models which were released 3-4 years back. This should be enough to signify that Apple is more than concerned about its clientèle, but in case you want more proof, then just take a look at Apple’s iPad range.

Screen Protectors

Nowadays, you can find countless forms of screen protectors. From blue-light filters to tempered glass, screen protectors now offer a lot more than the obvious scratch resistance. To narrow the list down we are gonna focus on the materials instead of forms. Glass and Plastic (TPU and PET) are the two materials that are widely used to make screen protectors, and following are some of their specifications:

Plastic: Plastic screen protectors are also subdivided into TPU and PET. TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane), these are plastics, which go through chemical enhancements. Numerous chemical treatments grant TPU physical properties like scratch resistance, grease resistance and increased toughness. TPU protectors usually come with a ‘military grade’ tag as it provides better impact protection . PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) are another type of plastic which are available in different variations depending on the applications. Scratch resistance provided by PET protectors is restricted to that of fingernails scratch and coins. Their protection is isn't any better than the Gorilla glass your device already has.Thus, if you are willing to spend a slightly higher price for your protector, then TPU is way better than PET protectors.

Glass: Nowadays, tempered glass protectors have taken over the screen protector market thanks to their durability and affordability. They are better than plastic protectors in almost every way. Material wise, they are multi-layered, starting with a shock absorbent, followed by PET film and finally a clear adhesive layer. The greatest advantage of a tempered glass is that it is extremely thick, and is stronger than the typical plastic screen protectors, making your screen extremely resistant to scratches and damage. You will have to shell out a bit more for a Tempered screen protectors, but its more than worth it, if you are looking for a reliable solution against accidental drops. You can get a tempered glass screen protector from a renowned brand like EFM for around $40.

Cases and Covers

Just like screen protectors, nowadays, phone cases and covers also come in all shapes and forms. From flip cases to armoured cases, there are countless options from which a person can pick and choose a cover to suit their specific needs. People can also find cases and covers like dry bags and armbands that are made for specific scenarios like a day on the beach, or running a marathon.

To further distinguish/ elaborate, following are some of the most popular forms of phones cases, and the popular materials used to manufacture them:

Types

  • Armoured Cases: Armoured cases are the new in-trend cases which are made of certified- military grade material. They offer heavy duty protection and are quite flexible. They are quite easy to put on, and are made to protect your device from scratches and drops. Rugged armour is a constituent of armoured cases. They come with a signature sleek and contains carbon fibre. They also provide a matte finish.
  • Flip Cases: Flip cases have lost the charm they used to have, but they are steadily rising in popularity amongst older generations, who want more than just a phone cover. Flip cases often include extra pockets or slots so that people can store things like credit cards, keys or cash. These cases are also available in high-grade fabrics or materials like leather, alcantara or even suede.
  • Slim Cases: These are the cases to go for, if you want a layer of protection for your phone without adding any bulk. The texture finish of such cases also creates extra grip that helps you hold your iPhone steadily without having to worry about dropping it. Thus, slim cases allow you to add protection to your device without compromising its design or adding any unnecessary thickness. Installing slim case is super easy and the fit is tight and secure. But, slim cases offer a bit less in terms of drop protections.
  • Armband Cases: If you are a fitness enthusiast, then you know the struggle of trying to hold your device with your sweaty palms, when you are on a run. Thankfully, armband cases has been invented to cater your fitness goals. Armband cases have been around for a long time, and are popular amongst runners who like to focus into the rhythm while being on the run. Similarly, if you are looking for a way to run with your phone without having to hold it in your hands, then an armband case is all that you need. However, arm bands cases are a unique example of utilitarian phone cover option, and aren’t suitable for use past your fitness regime.
  • Battery Cases: If you are a power hungry user, or your device’s battery capacity is not that great, then you can opt for battery phone cases to charge your device on the go with their built in battery packs that keep your device functional for longer durations. Nowadays, you can find many variants of battery cases, which are available in a number of materials and styles.

Materials

  • Polyurethane: Polyurethane also called TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is an extremely durable material, and is used for numerous industrial and commercial purposes. Polyurethane cases are a mixture of soft silicone and hard plastic.
  • Silicone: Silicone cases are one of the most common and easily available options for phone protection. Silicone cases are more durable compared to normal plastic covers as they are more elastic and provide increased protection to your device. These days many smart phone manufacturers include a silicone cases with the device you purchase.
  • Alcantara: Contrary to popular belief, alcantara is stain-resistant and provides a suede-like feel in hand. Alcantara cases usually come with a plastic skeleton. This construction leads to protection against drops. Alcantara cases are usually on the more expensive side of things, but for people who treasure their phones as priced possessions, it is a great investment.
  • Leather: Leather cases are gaining their fair share of popularity. This is because they are more durable and last longer. Leather cases are also a great option for people looking for increased abrasion protection.
  • Carbon Fibre: There is a reason why many sports cars feature carbon fiber body panels. Carbon fiber, as a structural material, can withstand heavy loads all the while keeping the weight down. Similarly carbon fibre cases are extremely thin but are capable of protecting your device against scratches and other damages. These types of cases are quite rare, as carbon fiber is pretty expensive, but their rarity adds to their allure.

Audio Equipment

Be it listening to, or creation of - Music has become the go-to stress reliever, and hobby of almost every person on this earth. Tech companies have long started to notice this need, and now you can find numerous forms of audio equipment, which cater to the ever increasing number of available media platforms and hardware. Use of wireless technology for audio transmission isn’t new, but ask any audiophile and he/she will tell you just how far we have come in terms of improving audio codecs and audio transmission over the last few decades. Bluetooth is now everywhere, similarly bluetooth audio equipment are the most preferred choice of many. Following are some of the most popular forms of audio equipment that are usually paired with smartphones:

Earphones: In-ear earphones are the go-to options many people opt for, mainly due to its compact form factor, leading to ease in portability. In-ear earphones are available in a number of variants, and with the introduction of bluetooth you can also choose from numerous wireless options.

Truly-Wireless Earphones: Truly-Wireless Earphones, or TWS, are the latest rage in the world of audio equipment. These earphones come with a minimal form factor that is similar to in-ear earphones minus the wires. TWS earphones operate via bluetooth and are accompanied by a charging case, which also doubles as a carrying/ storage case.

Headphones: There are mainly two forms of headphones - Wired and Wireless. Wired headphones are the go to audio solutions for people who are looking to immerse themselves in music. Headphones rival the sound-stage of speakers, while maintaining the sanctity of the minute details. Audio quality, and sound isolation are the main reasons why most people opt for headphones.

Wireless headphones are of two types - Bluetooth, and Infrared. Infrared headphones are mostly used indoors, whereas bluetooth has absolutely revamped the wireless industry, virtually eradicating the existing norm that wired earphones are better than wireless alternatives. Nowadays, you can find many different types of bluetooth headphones/ earphones that cater to the whole spectrum of listeners, from casual to audiophiles.

Speakers: Speakers are the go to audio options when it comes to outdoor or group gatherings. Speakers usually provide a much wider sound-stage, without compromising on the overall timbre of the instruments. Speakers, just like headphones/ earphones, are also available in wired or wireless variants.

Charging

There was a time when phones used to last more than a week on a single charge thanks to their minimals features and bare bone hardware. Sadly, that is not the case in today’s fast paced world. Nowadays, smartphones have replaced almost every electronic communication device thanks to the drastic improvements in hardware and software technology. All these features and state-of-the-art hardware require a lot of battery, but the batteries have not developed as fast as other components of a modern smartphone. This gap has led to a shorter battery life, as most smartphones last for about a day or two on a single charge. Almost all of us are familiar with the concept of charging our device at least once a day. Following are some of the accessories that simplify the charging process:

Cables & Chargers: As a daily used item, phone chargers & cables are quite easy to ignore past their intended use. People usually opt to use the charger that came with their device, but that doesn’t make it the best one you can get. With the advancement in wired charging, you can now choose from fast chargers which are capable of charging your device quickly and safely. Cables, in particular, have also gone through significant changes, and now feature faster data transfer, all the while being much more durable thanks to materials like nylon.

Power banks: Modern smartphones barely have a 24 hours battery life. We charge our device everywhere, at our home, at work, in our cars. This is the reason why ‘power banks’ have become so popular in the last few years. Power banks are basically portable batteries, which can charge your device on the go, without the need of a power socket. Similar to other electronic devices, power banks are also charged via a USB cable. Power banks, in general, were intended to be used in emergency situations, but are now used in daily scenarios.

Wireless charging: With the improvement of technology over the years, even charging has moved from the use of wires to accommodate wireless charging. Though wireless charging concept has been there for quite a few years now, it has finally arrived on the latest iPhone. Wireless charging allows you to charge your device without having to use any external wire. These are charged by using a standard of wireless charging called Qi.

For the latest smartphone releases and their compatible accessories, check out Xtreme Communications, and browse through our ever-increasing catalogue of the latest and greatest gadgets.