Now that most smartphone makers have refreshed their phones for the year — we're basically just waiting for the Google Pixel 7 now after Apple's recent announcement — you probably know your options. Of course, buying a new phone is just the first step. You may want to refresh your smartphone accessories. For starters, many new phones don't come with a charging brick nowadays. Or your charging cable may be fraying. Or perhaps you're eyeing noise-cancelling earbuds for your daily commute. Here are five smartphone accessories to get.
Belkin Boost Charge Pro Flex USB cable
Over the years, I have lost count of the number of charging cables that have frayed or simply died on me. Especially cheap ones. Well, for those who are willing to pay more for quality, Belkin's Boost Charge Pro Flex series of cables promises to be 30x more durable. They also come with a magnetic cable management system that lets you mount them to the wall or desk. And they are available for various connector types, and in multiple colours.
Ugreen 65W GaN charger
It's increasingly rare to find a charging brick included with new smartphones. At least not if you buy from the big manufacturers like Apple and Samsung. Hence, it makes sense to get a multi-port charger like the Ugreen 65W GaN charger. The four USB ports on this handy charger can top up most devices, including USB-C notebooks. It also supports fast-charging protocols like QuickCharge 4.0 and USB Power Delivery 3.0.
Google Pixel Buds Pro
The Pixel Buds Pro are the first true wireless earbuds from Google to come with active noise-cancellation. And boy did Google hit it out of the park with the noise cancellation, which is simply among the best in its price range. These relatively small earbuds are also very comfortable, and they sound pretty good, too. Of course, the Pixel Buds Pro work best with Android phones, so if you're using an iPhone, you should consider the newly-launched Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen).
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 isn't a big upgrade for those with last year's model. But if you're new to smartwatches, it's arguably the best option for Android users, especially if you have a Samsung phone. The battery is slightly larger, but you'll still need to charge it in a day or two. More importantly, it offers a polished user experience, with better support for Google apps like the Google Assistant and Google Pay. Again, iPhone users should check out the new Apple Watch Series 8 instead.
Black Shark Magnetic Cooler
If you play mobile games on your phone, you should check out the Black Shark Magnetic Cooler. This accessory, which sticks to the back of your phone, can cool it using its Peltier cooler. It also acts as a stand to prop up the phone — handy for watching movies. You do need a separate cable to power the cooler, but it will work with Android phones and select iPhone models.
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