Device Care: Making Your Device Last Longer

Most devices don't die — they get worn down by a handful of avoidable habits. Here is the workshop's honest guidance on making a phone, tablet or laptop last, and on knowing when repair is the smarter move than replacement.

Batteries: the part that ages fastest

Every rechargeable battery wears with charge cycles — that's chemistry, not a defect. What accelerates it is heat and deep discharge: leaving a device in a hot car, charging under a pillow, or routinely running to 0%. Keeping a device out of extreme heat and topping up before it's empty are the two habits that genuinely help. When a battery does wear out, replacement restores day-long use — usually in 60 minutes for iPhones at our workshop, with a 12-month warranty on parts and workmanship.

Screens: protection beats repair

A case with a raised lip and a quality screen protector are cheap compared to any screen replacement. Most cracked screens we see come from a single unlucky corner impact — exactly what a lip and protector are designed to absorb.

Charging ports: usually debris, not damage

A large share of "broken" charging ports that reach our bench are actually packed with pocket lint. If a cable feels loose or needs holding at an angle, have the port inspected and cleaned before assuming it needs replacement — we inspect and clean first where appropriate, and quote a replacement only if cleaning doesn't resolve it or the port is damaged.

Liquid: the first hour matters

If a device gets wet, power it off and do not charge it — charging a wet device is how minor exposure becomes board damage. Do not use rice; it doesn't reach the corrosion. Get the device assessed promptly: liquid damage treatment may restore function, but corrosion can continue after exposure, which is why acting early matters.

Back up, always

We recommend keeping a backup as a general precaution — not because repair threatens your data (we do not access your personal data during standard hardware repairs), but because hardware can fail without warning, repair shop or no repair shop.

When repair beats replacement

Repair extends device life and reduces unnecessary replacement — and for most single-fault devices, a quality repair costs a fraction of a new device. A worn battery, a cracked screen or a faulty port on an otherwise healthy device is exactly the case where repair is the rational choice. ExpressTech supports the direction of the EU Right to Repair framework (Directive 2024/1799) and your right to choose repair.

Frequently asked questions

Should I let my battery run to 0% occasionally?

No — deep discharge adds wear. Modern devices calibrate themselves; routinely draining to empty helps nothing.

Is it worth repairing an older device?

Often yes, if it does what you need. We'll tell you honestly when it isn't — assessment is free where the fault is clear, and complex faults carry a €30 diagnostic credited in full toward the repair if you go ahead.

How do I know if my battery needs replacing?

Fast draining, unexpected shutdowns or swelling are the clear signs. Battery reporting is part of our bench testing on every battery replacement.

ExpressTech is Independent by Choice — an independent repair specialist, not affiliated with or authorised by any manufacturer.