Bookmark

Smart phone buying guide

6 accessories to smarten up your smart phone

After buying a smart phone, the next step, for most people, is to accessorize it. However, in a market flooded with handheld accessories these days, choosing the right ones can be daunting for some. Should you go for a classic leather pouch or opt for a transparent crystal case? How about keyboards? What are the advantages of using Bluetooth vs infrared? Are screen protectors necessary?

To help you make a more informed buying decision, we've rounded up six handy accessories for your smart phone as well as show you what you need to look for in each.

	Silicon case for the Moto Q from Brando Workshop (click for larger image)

Pouches and cases
Phones are supposed to be rugged devices that can withstand the occasional drop and spill. After all, you bring it wherever you go and, along the way, it takes a fair share of abuse from both the user and the elements. Unfortunately, most smart phones are not built this way. While most of them today come bundled with matching pouches and cases, the majority of these accessories hardly help to protect the device.

Therefore, do look out for pouches and cases which offer the best protection for your smart phone, in addition to aesthetics and functionality. Currently, silicon skins and crystal cases are the most popular, possibly because of their affordable prices, but these offer little protection against drops. Leather and metallic cases usually cost more and add to the weight of the device, particular the metal versions, but they do protect the device to some extent from knocks and drops.

Expect to pay: S$5 to S$10 (for silicon skins and crystal case); S$20 to S$80 (for leather and metal cases)

	The Memory Stick M2 and miniSD flash media (click for larger image)

Memory cards
As smart phones are fitted with more multimedia features such as higher-resolution cameras and onboard music/video players, the need for more memory in the device becomes a top priority among users. With most smart phones currently packing in no more than 256MB of onboard storage, the only solution for memory expansion is to buy flash media.

Expect to pay: S$35 (for a 1GB miniSD card) to S$70 (for a 1GB Memory Stick Duo card)

	Sony Ericsson's Bluetooth stereo headset, HBH-DS970 (click for larger image)

Bluetooth headsets
It's a given that most smart phones are generally bulkier than traditional handsets. If you're someone who finds it cumbersome to hold the phone for calls, or that it cramps your style, get a Bluetooth headset. Almost all the latest smart phones support Bluetooth, so connectivity should not be an issue. What's more, if your device supports the A2DP profile for stereo sound streaming, you can invest in a compatible wireless headset for music playback, too.

Expect to pay: S$80 to S$200

	ClearTouch screen protectors (click for larger image)

Screen protectors
The flat-panel screen is probably one of the most fragile and expensive-to-replace hardware component. However, like any portable gadget, the display on smart phones is often exposed to scratches and smudges. So besides getting a good case, a transparent screen filter is probably a good way to protect the display, especially if your unit comes with a touchscreen. Prices for such plastic filters can vary significantly in the market, depending on texture, transparency and brand. (Note: If you are not familiar with applying filters on the screen, you can usually approach the shop staff to do it for you.)

Expect to pay: S$8 to S$25

	Nokia's Bluetooth wireless keyboard, the SU-8W (click for larger image)

Portable keyboards
QWERTY keypads on smart phones are great for short messages and the occasional quick email replies. But if you plan to work on long documents or reply your emails regularly, nothing beats typing on a full-sized keyboard. It may sound like a hassle to lug along an extra device, but foldable portable keyboards these days are typically no larger than the size of a traditional PDA. So this shouldn't add too much to your traveling load.

There are two common types of foldable keyboards in the market today. The more affordable ones use infrared (IR) to communicate between the keyboard and smart phone, though line of sight is needed to ensure connectivity. Bluetooth ones, which are usually more expensive, do not need line of sight. It is, however, generally believed that while Bluetooth keyboards offer better typing response than their IR counterparts, the battery life is also said to be shorter.

Expect to pay: S$90 to S$250

	Portable battery pack from ZAP! (click for larger image)

External battery packs / extra batteries
This may seem a little drastic to some people but it can be really frustrating if your battery runs out in the middle of a crucial phone call or when you are about to reply an urgent email from an important client. Other than purchasing a second battery, the best alternative is to invest in an external battery pack which lets you charge your handheld battery while on-the-go. The best part is the same external charger can usually be used to juice up other portable devices as well, such as iPods, PSPs, mobile phones and digital cameras.

Expect to pay: S$70 to S$180, depending on battery capacity

Other accessories to consider:

USB charging cable--These come in handy especially if you are caught without your charging adapter.

Pen stylus--If you find the stylus bundled with your smart phone too tiny and uncomfortable to hold, there are others which are incorporated into pens for a better grip. You are less likely to lose them, too.

« Back to Smartphones