Bringing a Grimy Smartphone Back to Life with a $4 Otterbox Cleaning Kit
Is Otterbox’s Mobile Device Care Kit a lifesaver or just an overpriced gimmick? I decided to find out.
There are two types of smartphone users. One maintains their device in pristine condition all the time, equipped with a microfiber cloth and alcohol wipes at the ready for any mess. The other carries their phone everywhere, showing little concern for hygiene.
No matter which group you belong to, you might be uncertain about the supplies and tools required for cleaning your pricey technology. Wiping a screen is straightforward, but tackling charging ports and speaker grills can seem more intimidating. Otterbox, a brand you may recognize for its durable cases, claims to have a fix. The Mobile Device Care Kit is designed to provide everything necessary for a thorough cleaning for under $5.
The brand describes it as a detailing kit for your phone, which piqued my interest. I’ve spent good money on car detailing, as nothing compares to the feeling of getting your vehicle back looking brand new. But is Otterbox’s option equally effective? It is suitable for any smart device, so I decided to test it out on my parents’ incredibly filthy smartphone.
Below, you can see my dad’s phone before the detailing kit was used. And before you question it, no, I’m not proud of this state.
I’m not sure how a phone accumulates this level of dirt, but as I keep my favorite Android phones in excellent condition, this iPhone 14 Pro presented a major challenge for the Mobile Device Care Kit.
It includes three brushes for screens and ports of assorted sizes, and I needed every one to clean this phone. The pointed ones were perfect for the speaker grills, while the larger brush helped remove all the loose dirt and debris. I also utilized the hard plastic edges of the brushes to dislodge stubborn gunk.
Initially, I assumed the ports and speaker grills retained the most grime, but the camera bump surprised me. The protruding lenses captured everything, and I was both amazed and disgusted by the amount that came out.
The detailing kit also features a microfiber cloth and nine alcohol wipes, which proved useful later on. I used an alcohol wipe on the brushes to thoroughly clean the crevices of the iPhone 14 Pro, and it was effective. By the end, the iPhone looked completely transformed, and you can see the results for yourself.
The kit certainly fulfilled its purpose, but it wasn’t flawless. The alcohol wipes were humorously small, though I can attest they were quite moist. I only needed a handful to achieve the above condition for my dad’s iPhone, which was a plus. However, don’t expect a standard-sized wipe in the kit, or you’ll be disappointed.
Also, consider the cleaning tools as mostly single-use items. They get the job done but were already somewhat worn out after just one clean. I had hoped they would resemble my iFixit spudgers and opening tools—showing wear after use but lasting longer. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
When considering the price, just over $4 on Amazon, I believe the Otterbox Mobile Device Care Kit offers good value. It’s not something you should purchase every time you need to clean your phone, but it’s useful for deep cleanings. I see this as a valuable purchase about once or twice a year, perhaps coinciding with changing cases or screen protectors, to keep your phone feeling new.
Otterbox Mobile Device Care Kit
An unexpectedly great deal
Don’t expect to get more than one or two uses from Otterbox’s detailing kit for your phone. Nevertheless, you receive an impressive amount of cleaning supplies in the Mobile Device Care Kit for under $5. If your phone needs a refresh every few months, I would say this is a solid choice.
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