One of the reasons why you may have chosen an iPhone over other smart phones is because Apple has a reputation for producing quality products with sleek, modern designs. And because it has such an impressive name, you may be quick to presume that everything it churns out — including expensive accessories — is worth the price tag. But how true is this, really? And are you actually accumulating a laundry list of accessories that you could be getting elsewhere, for much less money?
“With every new iPhone release comes a slew of new accessories,” says Tech Expert Emma Jones at ThunderBot. “Many of these are just rehashes of older products with a new coat of paint, but others are completely new inventions that promise to revolutionize the way we use our phones. The problem is, many of these accessories are little more than gimmicks that are not worth your money.”
Of course, everything is subjective. One person’s golden accessory is another person’s rusted one. But here are some of the Apple accessories that many Apple experts agree are basically worthless.
Battery Cases
Battery cases promise to double or even triple the amount of time you can use your phone before having to recharge, Jones reminds us. “However, most battery cases are bulky, unattractive, and difficult to use,” she says. “In addition, they often don’t live up to their promises, only adding a few extra hours of usage rather than doubling or tripling it. For these reasons, battery cases are generally not worth the money.”
PopSockets
“Another popular accessory for the iPhone is the PopSocket,” Jones says. “These devices attach to the back of your phone and allow you to prop it up or grip it more easily [to use]. While they may be helpful for some people, they’re also quite ugly and can make your phone more difficult to fit into your pocket. In addition, they’re not very durable and tend to fall off after a few months of use.”
Screen Protectors
Screen protectors are designed to protect your screen from scratches and other damage. The problem is that they aren’t always made well. “Most screen protectors are made from cheap materials that yellow quickly and bubbles easily,” Jones says. “In addition, they don’t do a good job of actually protecting your screen from scratches and other damage.”
Bluetooth Headsets
Bluetooth headsets seem like they’re worth the money — after all, they promise to allow you to make hands-free calls and use your phone without having to hold it up to your ear — which is all kinds of convenient. But hold that thought. “Most Bluetooth headsets are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and often have poor sound quality,” Jones says. “In addition, they can be quite expensive.”
Apple Bluetooth headsets can easily run you a few hundred dollars. But you can also find several competing brands that offer good sound quality and features like noise cancellation.
Protective Cases
If you’re constantly dropping your phone, you don’t need convincing when it comes to covering it with a protective case. But Jones says most protective cases add bulk and weight to your phone, making it more difficult to carry around. “In addition, they often don’t do a good job of actually protecting your phone from drops, scratches, and other damage,” Jones says.
Instead, sleeker cases like the Smartish Gripmunk cost less than $20 and continually make it onto experts’ lists of best protective cases for the iPhone.
Knowing which Apple accessories are worth your time and money and which are best left on Apple shelves can lead you to making wiser, more budget-conscious choices while helping you carefully curate your tech devices and accessories to include only those that work really well.
