Smartphone Accessories

It’s 2020, and we all need to face up to something - your smartphone is attached to your body. If that’s the case in every literal sense of the word, then you’re going to have a nasty scar when a medical team is able to remove it. But if it’s connected from an “I can’t live without this thing” perspective, you’re in the same situation as the vast majority of every smartphone owner.

Smartphones were initially nice devices to have, but as the technology caught on and the number of things you could do with this device exploded (coupled with the affordability), it’s rare to find someone these days without one. And as every smartphone owner can tell you, the phone is only as cool as the accessories you can pair with it.

Skins

Every smartphone comes with its own skin. It’s typically, however, rather bland and boring. Thankfully there are a host of businesses that have entered this sphere, providing some really cool skins to make your smartphone as customized as possible. Gadgetshieldz, Dbrand and SlickWraps are just a few skin companies that allow you to create your own customized skin with. Their websites provide a fun, interactive platform to customize the sides, back, and front of your phone, along with the camera lens. You can play around with materials and textures, and even add a logo if you’ve got one.

Portable Bluetooth Speakers

A handful of smartphones have killer speakers. The rest, however, are simply so-so. Having decent sound is a must with a smartphone. After all, if you’re using it to play music at the beach, or give your outdoor patio party a needed twist, then a portable Bluetooth speaker is a must. One of the better-reviewed products is the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, featuring 360-degree sound with some very impressive bass for its size. Another added bonus with the Boom 3 is the 15-hour battery life. Fair warning, though, this unit is pricey. If you’re looking for something cheaper, the OontZ Angle 3 is a nice option for a whole lot less.

Car Chargers

We’re not at the stage yet where battery life is interminable. Some smartphones (and corresponding speakers) have really pressed the limit, and battery life today is light-years of what is was just five years ago. But with that said, a car charger is great to have on hand in the event you’re in the middle of something, and snap, there goes the battery. The Amazon Basics Dual USB Car Charger couldn’t be more affordable, and features an LED indicator and 2A USB ports. You can certainly move up from here, and if you’re truly serious about juicing up your smartphone or car charger in a real way, spending in the $50 to $75 range is up for grabs.

VR Headsets

While absolutely mind-blowing, VR headset options are still rather limited for a smartphone. The big dogs like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or the Sony Playstation VR all require a console to connect to or a computer. In regards to smartphones, the principal options are the Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, or the Daydream View. Note that the Samsung GR VR, which you can still find available, is a discontinued model so you won’t receive technical support in all likelihood moving forward.

Smartphones are meant to be enjoyed to their fullest. But to do so, you need to get your hands on some accessories. Any of these will do (but don’t just stop at one).