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SUMMERIZE YOUR CELLPHONE: PROTECT IT FROM RAYS & WATER

July 28, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2015

For more information, contact:
Natalie Bailey, public relations counsel
Moxley Carmichael
[email protected]
(865) 544-0099

Iman Jefferson, media relations
U.S. Cellular
[email protected]
(773) 355-3737

[title] U.S. Cellular offers tips for protecting your cellphone during any type of summer activity

Smartphones and tablets can generate quite a bit of heat, especially when in use, but they can only tolerate so much before issues may occur. When temperatures rise in the summertime, the added heat can be harsh on our beloved iPhones and iPads. Not to mention, summertime often brings opportunities for your smartphone to be around water, whether at the pool, the lake or the beach, which could be hazardous to the device.

A majority of smartphone owners admit they are unable to go longer than an hour without checking their phone. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Cellular survey, more than 90 percent of respondents rarely or never leave their phone at home.  This data proves that smartphone users have their devices with them at all times and in all environments, temperatures and weather conditions.

“Whether using your phone while traveling from coast to coast or relaxing by the local pool, we know that our customers keep their devices with them at all times,” said Nick Wright, vice president of the sales-retail channel for U.S. Cellular. “For that reason, we want to make sure everyone knows how to protect their smartphones and use the devices to enhance their summer activities.”

In the summer, many adults and children alike use their smartphones as a source of entertainment and fun. According to the same U.S. Cellular survey, 72 percent of smartphone owners use their device for taking photos and 61 percent use their device by playing games.

U.S. Cellular breaks down three main tips to remember for keeping your smartphone safe and protected this summer from any harmful elements such as heat, sand or water:

  1. Prevent overheating:
  • Turn off unused apps – If you’re not currently using an application or functions such as Location and Bluetooth, try to remember to turn them off. Running them uses battery and increases the workload of your phone.
  • Let your device cool off – If you’ve had your phone outside in the sun for an extended amount of time, try to let your device cool off in a climate-controlled area for at least 5-10 minutes before using it again.
  • Don’t leave a phone or tablet in the car – Cars can get dangerously hot during summer months and leaving devices stored there for multiple hours can be damaging.
  1. Avoid and survive water damage:
  • Put your phone in a bag at the beach, pool or lake – To avoid water damage or gritty sand getting stuck in the crevices of your phone, take an extra protective measure by putting your device in a plastic bag within another waterproof beach bag.
  • Do not use heat on a wet cell phone – If your phone unfortunately experiences water damage, do not use heat to dry it, such as a hairdryer or microwave. These heat tools can often cause even more damage.
  • Go to a professional – If you experience water damage, quickly take your wet cellphone to experts at any local U.S. Cellular store and they can help provide smart advice for saving your cellphone, if possible.
  1. Protect and enhance your device with the right accessories:
  • Invest in a durable, waterproof case – Unfortunately, you cannot always save a device that has suffered water damage. Be proactively prepared and invest in a sturdy case, such as LifeProof or OtterBox, which can successfully protect your phone from many harmful elements including water.
  • Don’t turn up the brightness – If you are unable to fully view your screen while using it outside, skip turning up the brightness and invest in a glare screen accessory instead. This can also help save your battery life.
  • Bring the party – Any music lovers should check out options for speakers with connectivity to smartphones, such as the ECOBXT Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker, which is made out of polycarbonate material to protect against water or debris.

¹ Results are from a nationally-representative online survey of 738 smartphone owners conducted by U.S. Cellular in partnership with Maritz Research from November 12-20, 2014.

4G LTE service provided through King Street Wireless, a partner of U.S. Cellular. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

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 has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by a high-quality network in big and small cities and rural communities. Currently, 94 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds, and 98 percent will have access by the end of 2015. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates Customer Champion in 2014 for the third time in four years. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or 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.