A plethora of choices awaits, ranging from mobile phone cases and grips to reconditioned headphones
For those seeking last-minute Christmas gifts without knowledge of sizes or scheduling, gadgets and accessories eliminate the need. Instead of opting for the latest phones or smartwatches, consider smaller, thoughtful items that can be welcomed gifts and contribute to prolonging the life of your loved ones’ current electronics.
Phone cases
The most eco-friendly tech is the one you possess, making cases and accessories to maintain its condition a wise investment. Knowing your phone’s model simplifies the process of finding a case, with numerous options available, starting from approximately £10, offered by established third-party accessory brands like OtterBox, Speck, and Spigen. Additionally, major manufacturers such as Apple, Google, Samsung, and others produce their own cases.
For a more environmentally conscious choice, a few brands offer phone cases made from biodegradable materials, priced starting from around £25. Notable options include the Canadian company Pela and the British brand Wave. Notably, Wave facilitates an eco-friendly cycle by accepting old cases for industrial composting. Sending in an old case qualifies you for a 20% discount on a new one.
Phone cases can serve as a substitute for the traditional Christmas wallet, with designs featuring credit card slots either in a screen-flap or on the back. Various options are available, starting from approximately £10. For those seeking a touch of luxury, premium versions like Bellroy’s leather phone case are priced at £39 and above.
While most cases don’t directly cover the screen, screen protectors are essential for this purpose. They come in different materials, including affordable plastic ones, hardened glass options, and even liquid variants. Screen protectors are obtainable from phone shops, manufacturers, or major case makers, with prices ranging from about £10 to £15 each. Wave offers a recycled glass version for £15.
PopSockets and grips
An economical and game-changing accessory for averting cracked screens could be a phone grip. Numerous options exist, such as phone rings like the well-received Spigen Style Ring (priced around £13), which affix to the back of a phone with a fold-out ring for finger placement. Phone loops, available in various forms like straps and fabric bands, range from simple rubber bands fitting under a phone case and over fingers to those sticking directly to the phone. Prices start from around £5.
One of the most favored grips is the PopSocket, resembling a pop-out handle affixed to the phone’s rear. Original PopSockets are priced at approximately £11, but there are higher-cost options featuring a diverse array of designs, catering to fans of Pokémon, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and more.
Watch bands
Smartwatches have remained relatively unchanged in recent years, so instead of opting for an entirely new device, consider revitalizing your existing one with a replacement strap for a fresh appearance. Numerous watch manufacturers, including Apple, Garmin, Google, and Samsung, offer a diverse range of their own straps and bands, typically priced from around £45.
For the most popular watches like the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch, various third-party accessory makers provide more budget-friendly strap options using special connectors. Other smartwatches, such as Garmins and Samsungs, generally accommodate standard straps with pins. Straps are readily available online and at most high street jewelers; it’s essential to ensure you purchase the correct width of strap for the watch’s lugs.
Batteries and chargers
One of the components prone to wearing out early on modern gadgets is the battery. While a replacement battery might be a viable solution, having backup power packs can ensure the uninterrupted operation of phones and other USB devices throughout the day. These power packs come in various colors, shapes, sizes, and capabilities, with some powerful enough to charge laptops in addition to phones, tablets, and other smaller gadgets.
Compact power packs with sufficient capacity for an 80% phone charge typically cost around £16 and have dimensions akin to a chocolate bar. More advanced options, like the Anker MagGo range (starting at £26), offer innovative features such as wireless charging on the go. They adhere to the back of MagSafe-compatible devices, including iPhones or Androids with adapters.
Refurbished headphones
Wireless earbuds and headphones stand among the finest gadgets, although their sustainability is often compromised by unrepairable designs and challenging battery replacements. Opting for refurbished models is a cost-effective and environmentally conscious choice. Remarkable options, like Sony’s WF-C500 earbuds, are obtainable for approximately £50 from platforms such as Back Market.
Apple’s sought-after AirPods 3, priced at £149, and Bose’s exceptional QuietComfort Earbuds II, available for £190, can be acquired refurbished directly from the manufacturers. These options include all the accessories one would receive when purchasing new.
Refurbished noise-canceling headphones also make excellent gifts, offering tranquility. Sennheiser’s impressive Momentum 4 headphones, refurbished by the manufacturer, cost £194, while Bose’s well-regarded QuietComfort 45s are available refurbished for £189.95. Third-party retailers like Back Market provide additional options from brands such as Apple’s Beats and Sony.
