Essential Android Accessories: Chargers, Headphones, Cases and Car Mounts
Charging
A phone ships with one charger, which the author found not enough. Their setup:
- Wall chargers on each floor of the house and a car USB adapter.
- One cable that stays at the work computer and another that travels.
- Small adapters between micro and mini USB, because a spouse’s phone used the older connector.
The author did not buy a second battery. Powering down, removing the case and swapping a battery seemed like more hassle than charging often, though it would make sense for anyone without access to USB power.
Bluetooth
The author had hoped for earphones and received a headset, and rarely used it. Phone calls in the car are illegal to hold, and the callers on the other end always noticed the headset. A pair of Sennheiser Bluetooth headphones, bought in a Boxing Day sale, turned out to be a great purchase for cycling to work. They have on-ear controls to switch and pause tracks, and the battery life is good. The one negative is another type of charging cable, with no adapter available.
Cases and protection
The author disliked cases for years, but a first fall left a smudge on the case and a tiny chip on the screen outside the pixel area, so protection became a priority. Two styles were in rotation:
| Case type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Rubberized slip-on | Better fall protection, rubber lip over the screen | Collects lint and crumbs |
| Hard snap-together | Slim, prevents scratches | Likely to crack in a fall, hard to open to pull the battery |
Holster and flip cases were ruled out because they slow down answering a ringing phone and add bulk. Screen protectors matter too, but the author is bad at applying them and found the result looked poor.
Car stand
A generic stand from a hardware store worked as well as an official dock. It lets the phone act as a GPS and be read at red lights without looking down. The spring was wearing out, but the stand was cheap enough to replace.
Miscellaneous
An FM transmitter sends music through a car stereo, but the author heard noise when both the USB cable and headphone jack were plugged in. They wanted a Bluetooth FM transmitter that handles music, not just calls. A home and car dock with video output was promised by the manufacturer, but the author only found some US options and nothing all-in-one.
The best accessory: apps
The author’s closing point was that apps are what most people use to customize a phone these days.
Frequently asked questions
Is a spare battery worth it?
Only if you often cannot get to a USB power source. For daily use the author preferred frequent charging.
Which case style protects better?
A rubberized case with a lip over the screen protects better but collects lint. A hard case is slimmer and mostly prevents scratches.
Do car stands need to be brand-specific?
No. The author used a generic one that held the phone and allowed charging.