Got a new iPhone for free? Essential accessories that you still need now

Got a new iPhone for free? Essential accessories that you still need now

Anyone who buys a new iPhone from Apple or receives one as a gift has invested a lot of money in a good piece of technology. Hopefully you have not already spent all of the money, because some things are still to be purchased now. But which of them do you really need? A very personal recommendation list from Sven Kaulfuss - Apple expert at xiaomist.

Anyone who buys a new iPhone these days or is lucky enough to get one for free will be treated with a much smaller scope of delivery than in previous years - power supply unit, headphones ... no longer included in the package . If you have both of the older models "lying around", you can usually save yourself the need to buy again. Provided that you keep the right charging cable and don't sell it. Background: Apple only includes USB-C to Lightning cables with new iPhones. This inevitably requires a USB-C power supply, which brings us to my first recommendation.

Essential for the iPhone: a faster USB-C charger

A faster power adapter: If you still have an old USB power adapter, the chances are that it won't be particularly powerful. An iPhone 12 or the new iPhone 13 is really "under-challenged" and therefore takes longer to charge. This becomes even clearer if you use Apple's MagSafe charging puck, which charges more slowly anyway, if you still have the "wrong" power supply you have to bring more time with you.

Therefore, the following applies: Maybe you better get a USB-C power supply with at least 20 watts. Doesn't have to be the Apple original, a cheap one, for example from Anker (about 15 euros, see on Amazon), is completely sufficient. Tip: Owners of an iPhone 13 Pro should buy a 30 watt power supply (see Amazon), because this way they can charge their smartphone even faster.

Replacement cable : Don't forget, Apple only includes a single cable. Just in case, I would always take a second line with me, especially when traveling. Even if these come from Apple itself or are at least Apple certified , they can always fail. Doesn't cost the world, for example, you are already there for around 13 euros (see Amazon).

MagSafe charging pad: With the iPhone 12, Apple introduced an amazingly ingenious feature - the magnetic charging pad for wireless charging . The Apple original costs just under 32 euros on the free market (see Amazon). Pretty steep. The advantage: Again, accessories specialized in this field, such as the Stouchi bracket that I have already presented, fit without any problems.

If you don't need them, you can find alternatives for a lot less money . An example on the market is the Anker PowerWave Magnetic Pad for just under 20 euros (view it on Amazon).

Dust plug: If you do charge wirelessly, you can close the lighting connection with attractive dust protection plugs. So no dirt gets into the connection and functionality is retained for longer . It's not an absolute must, but if you want that last bit of protection for your iPhone, you should strike - usually for less than 10 euros (see Amazon).

Elegant, practical, useful: a stylish sleeve for the iPhone

Cover, case, bag ... what now? For me it is clear that the iPhone should be protected. However, this always requires compromises from customers. A cover with full protection (back and front) unfortunately makes the slim Apple cell phone rather fat, a case for the back does not prevent damage to the front and a protective film usually looks quite dirty after a short time. So what? I think that with the shapely iPhone 12 at the latest, you shouldn't deface your Apple phone in such a way, but you don't want to see it at the mercy of adversity. For me, the time is ripe, ripe for the return of the so-called "sleeves", that is, simple "push-in covers" . You can really celebrate the use of the iPhone, whenever it is ceremoniously pulled out of its case.

I recommend something "handmade". For example the covers from "Crazy Horse Craft" - do not cost 40 euros (see Amazon, also in black) and always look stylish.

What you need to know about AppleCare + for the iPhone can be seen in the video :

My personal tip for more security

AppleCare + can be damn useful: At first you don't want to believe in it, but the iPhone quickly falls out of your hand and the damage is great. The normal warranty or the dealer warranty does not cover such damage and then it gets really expensive. But anyone who buys AppleCare + from Apple is better protected for a full two years after buying the iPhone.

A display damage then only costs a flat rate of 29 euros, the battery is exchanged free of charge and further hardware damage is billed with a maximum excess of 99 euros. If, on the other hand, you don't have AppleCare +, you have to pay several hundred euros in the worst case.

But watch out , AppleCare + can only be obtained directly from Apple when purchasing the iPhone or within 60 days of purchasing the iPhone . If you come too late, you will unfortunately get nothing. Depending on the model, the protection costs differently (see Apple):

99 euros for the iPhone SE 169 euros for the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 11 and iPhone XR 229 euros for the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

In the end a bet, but the chance is pretty good of suffering damage from clumsiness. Hence my insider tip when buying iPhone accessories - mostly neglected, but invaluable in the worst-case scenario.

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