U.S. Cellular Recommends Ways to Keep Mobile Devices Charged

As many people prepare for summer travel, outdoor concerts, hikes and other activities away from home, U.S. Cellular is providing advice for “on-the-go” charging options, as well as tips to conserve battery life.

While smartphone users believe that they can go a couple of hours without checking their phones, most end up checking them at least once an hour, according to a recent U.S. Cellular survey1. Since consumers seem to want their devices to stay charged no matter where they are or what they’re doing, nearly half (49 percent) of respondents have purchased an additional charger for their smartphones and tablets, per the survey.

“There are some exciting new charging options for mobile devices, including wireless chargers, chargers with built-in speakers, charging cases and external battery power packs. These portable and reliable options are perfect for summer travel or can be used to enjoy other outdoor activities closer to home,” said Nakeita Stewart, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Illinois. “What’s more is the future of mobile device charging is promising. Soon, devices will be charged through the air like Wi-Fi.”

In the meantime, there are some new and innovative developments to keep devices such as the iPhone X, Samsung S9 or other preferred devices charged and connected. U.S. Cellular recommends the following products to enhance smartphone users’ lives:

• Wireless chargers – The Samsung Wireless Charging Convertible Stand allows users to ditch the tangled mess of wires and frustrating lost charging cables. Similarly, the Tylt Wireless Portable Charger makes it easy and convenient to charge a smartphone from anywhere - just place the phone on the sleek battery pack and charge. The Azpen DockAll Wireless Fast Charging Sound Hub uses Qi wireless charging technology and also offers two USB ports for charging additional devices. This device also includes two built-in Bluetooth-enabled speakers, so users can enjoy music and video while charging their phones or use the device as a speakerphone. The Ventev Wirelesspro Dock Car Charger brings simple, user-friendly wireless charging to the car.

• Portable chargers – The iWalk Scorpion Portable Charger is a portable charging bank that can simultaneously charge three devices with built-in cables allowing users to share power with a friend or family member. The PureGear Portable Charger 3200mAh is compact and lightweight, but still packs a powerful punch. This affordable option allows users to stay charged no matter where they go and comes in a stylish matte black.

• Charging cases – Another portable option is a rechargeable case. Many of these accessories such as the Mophie Juice Pack offer as much as 32 hours of additional talk time. The cases are specific to each smartphone and offer additional protection from daily wear and tear while providing easy access to the device’s speakers and charging ports.

If smartphone users don’t have access to a charger or perhaps just left it at home during summer travel, beyond simply turning on “battery saver” mode in the device settings, U.S. Cellular also provides these tips to save battery power in mobile devices while “on-the-go”:

• Dim the screen’s brightness or use auto brightness as well as setting the screen to automatically go into “sleep mode” after 15 or 30 seconds of inactivity.
• Turn off Bluetooth, WiFi and location-tracking or GPS services when not in use.
• Avoid using multiple apps simultaneously and don't leave apps running in the background when not in use.
• Use ringtones instead of vibrate, as vibrate mode uses more battery power.

¹ Between Nov. 8-17, 2017, a total of 706 online interviews were conducted among a nationally representative sample by Consumer Insights, in partnership with Maritz CX.

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier offers coverage where the other carriers don't and a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. For the fourth time in a row, U.S. Cellular has the Highest Wireless Network Quality Performance, according to J.D. Power’s twice-annual U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, and 99 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.