Smartphones have overtaken our lives ever since their invention. And an exponential growth in popularity has enabled co-dependent existence with these devices that fit our pockets. However, carrying the phone in your pocket at all times is not a healthy habit and one you should think about changing. Think hard and contemplate if that is your only habit when using smartphones. Here are a few more to break away from:

Bedtime scrolling
After a long day, we all get comfortable in bed and whip out our smartphones to scroll through social media. And if we aren’t checking social media, there’s no shortage of content on the internet. The problem is we all carry phones to bed and, in some cases, even to the bathroom. Constant exposure to screens and their blue light disrupts sleep quality. Suppressed melatonin also leads to a lack of focus and restlessness.

Ignoring updates
You risk your phone data if you quickly hit the update later option and repeatedly repeat that action. System updates often come with security patches; ignoring them can be quite a risk for your smartphone. Delaying software updates can also slow down your phone, eventually costing you more time for the simplest tasks. You could own the most expensive flip phone available with a competitive internet phone plan, but you risk being hacked thanks to an outdated operating system.

Constantly checking every notification
Notifications are a constant distraction to a productive day. Whether a day of rest or ticking things off the to-do list, the constant barrage is jarring. But some can remind us of important texts and emails. If you are highly dependent on your phone, turn off notifications for a while. Switching the do not disturb option on your cellphone a couple of hours before bed is also great.

Talking or texting while driving
Driving with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a phone to your ear is risky and illegal, but people still do it. Responsible driving is a bigger priority as important as a call or text. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous smartphone habits that must be broken.

Choosing a plan without research
Another habit to avoid is paying for phone plans without doing any research. Many smartphone owners make this common mistake. The plan you purchased might sometimes be contractual, and you may be unable to change it until the contract period ends. So, consider looking up a competent 5G phone plan and choosing reliable carriers like Verizon, AT&T, US Cellular, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Verizon offers unlimited nationwide 5G plans for as low as $35/month per line. Additionally, if you are in the market to find a new smartphone for you or your family member, you can take advantage of the company’s new phone plans.

Quite a few smartphones help organize your daily routine while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. These devices will even let you restrict your time staring at them and can be bought at lower prices from carriers.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, released on August 26th, 2022, lets you experience the best of both worlds with its flip and touchscreen combination. You can get this smartphone for around $800 with an eligible trade-in on Samsung’s official website.

Apple iPhone SE 3
For around $430, you can get the new iPhone SE 3 with an A15 bionic chip. This smartphone has been in high demand since its launch on March 18th, 2022.

Google Pixel Phones
On July 28th, 2022, the Google Pixel 6A was finally launched. And with a base price of around $450, this smartphone features an OLED screen with 128GB storage and 6GB RAM. Another release we all witnessed that day was the Pixel 7, which comes with a 6.3-inch screen, 50 + 10.3 MP camera, and is priced at around $600.

iPhone 14 series
Apple launched its new flagship smartphone series on September 16th, 2022. The screen size is a 6.1 or 6.7-inch retina display, depending on the model. Storage on iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max ranges up to 1TB, and the lineup comes with wireless charging, and the base price for iPhone 14 is $800, while iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max are retailed at $1,000 and $1,099, respectively.

It is also important to protect phones from cyberattacks. Hackers can access smartphones through public Wi-Fi networks, phishing emails or texts, and malicious apps. They could use the data stolen this way to blackmail the owner and ask for a ransom. This is a common cybercrime, and those affected may be unsure what to do next. Victims of cybercrime should file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) immediately. The IC3 can help in recovering lost funds and even apprehending the hacker.