A Writer's List of Android Phone Accessories: Chargers, Protection and Audio
Archive note. This story reflects what was known when it was first covered. Prices, availability and carrier offers are historical. For the current picture, start with the topic guides.
Chargers and cables
- The standard charger that came with the phone, plus an extra that arrived with a headset.
- Two car chargers, one bought online and one from an electronics chain. The second had since broken.
- Spare USB cables collected with other devices or ordered online, along with mini-to-micro USB adapters.
Protection and mounting
- A rubberized case.
- A hard, snap-on case.
- An invisibleSHIELD screen protector from ZAGG.
- A car window mount from a Canadian hardware and auto retailer.
Audio gear
- A Samsung Bluetooth headset.
- Sennheiser headphones.
- An FM transmitter with a 1/8 inch male-to-male cable. It finally stopped working, and an earlier unit failed within weeks because it kept blowing fuses.
A careful way to buy online
The writer rarely strayed far when shopping online. A cheap first order from an unfamiliar company is a low-risk test: you can check that it arrives on time and that no strange extra costs appear before committing to a larger purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Why test a store with a small order first?
It shows delivery speed and any hidden fees while very little money is at stake.
What did the FM transmitter do?
It played phone audio through a car radio over a short cable, though two units in this list failed.
Is the list an endorsement?
No. The author stated that no company had endorsed the list.