Do you know what the first-ever smartphone was? According to BusinessInsider, it was the Simon Personal Communicator. This device came out in 1992 and was released by IBM. It boasted a touchscreen and it could send emails, pages, and faxes. It was also a PDA; there was an office suite built-in to the device, as well as a world clock, an address book, and a calendar for scheduling appointments. It’s insane to think this forward-thinking device launched so early in modern tech’s timeline.
It’s unlikely that the Simon Personal Communicator launched with the same range of accessories and accoutrements that modern smartphones enjoy. If you’re lucky enough to have a modern smartphone, then you can take advantage of all kinds of gadgets including camera addons, cases, speakers, and more. If you want to augment your smartphone and make it more useful than the Personal Communicator, you’ll want the best gadgets on the market. Here’s the best stuff you can get for under £50.
PixaPrints Personalised Phone Case – from £14.99, PixaPrints
Here’s a link for you: https://www.pixaprints.co.uk/buy/personalised-phone-cases. Click that link. That’s as simple as we can make this. Whether you’ve got a new iPhone or a phone from the Galaxy S10 range, you’ll find something to love here. You can put whatever image you like on the phone; your pets, your family, your kids, or even you and your best friends on an unforgettable night out. With high-quality printing and quick delivery, you’d be a fool to miss out.
Tribit XSound Go Bluetooth Speaker – £27.99, Amazon
Considering its rock-bottom price, the Tribit XSound Speaker packs a remarkable punch. It transmits audio entirely wirelessly, meaning you’re not tethered to cables. Obviously, you’ll enjoy slightly better sound if you cough up more cash, but Tribit’s XSound still has seriously impressive 6W dual drivers and is capable of pretty significant volumes. This is a perfect option for large parties and intimate listening arrangements alike.
SoundMagic E11C In-Ear Headphones – £49.99, SoundMagic
SoundMagic earns its name once again. The company’s E11C headphones offer exceptional sound at an even more exceptional price point. The reviews for these have been phenomenal, and it’s really not hard to see why. Crisp, punchy sound and a superlative build quality mean these are likely to be your daily driver headphones for years to come. SoundMagic consistently builds and offers high-end audio products at ludicrous prices, and the E11C headphones are no exception.
Anker PowerCore 20100 Power Bank – £32.99, Amazon
Packing an absolutely whopping 20,000mAh capacity, Anker’s PowerCore 20100 is everything you could possibly need from a portable charging solution. It’s got two universal USB ports, meaning you can charge literally anything that charges via USB. The lightweight construction means it’ll fit nicely into your bag or even your pocket, and although it takes around 10 hours to recharge, that means it’ll be ready when you wake up in the morning.
Nomad Universal Charging Cable – £15.49, Amazon
No matter what phone you’ve got, the Nomad Universal Cable will charge it. Obviously, that doesn’t apply to old-school phones or super-ancient Apple devices with 30-pin connectors, but all modern smartphones can be charged with this. It’s got a braided ballistic weave for durability and three interchangeable tips: Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning. Don’t worry, Apple users: it’s Apple-certified, so it’s an official accessory that has the Cupertino seal of approval.
Tile Mate Tracker – £20, Tile
If you’ve ever struggled with losing something – your keys, your wallet, or even your phone itself – then Tile Mate will be an immense help to you. These trackers can be attached to anything and synced to your smartphone, allowing you to track anything that gets lost. If you lose your phone, you can press your Tile Mate twice, which will make it ring – even if you’ve put the phone on silent. There’s also a great community around Tile products which will help if your phone gets out of Bluetooth range.
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Fitness Band – £28.79, Amazon
You don’t need to break the bank for a decent fitness band. Major brands might have you believe that you need to spend huge amounts of money to get features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. That’s patently not the case with Xiaomi’s Mi Band 4, which offers all these things at a jaw-droppingly low price. It’s also got a full-colour AMOLED screen which will show you call, text, and app notifications. Buying a more expensive fitness band is hard to justify when this kind of quality product is around.
VICSEED Car Phone Holder – £17.99, Amazon
Sat navs and other in-car gadgets are a thing of the past when you can just use your phone. Of course, if you’re going to do so, you’ll need something to lock it in place, especially during bumpy and difficult car journeys. Enter the VICSEED Car Phone Holder. This gadget grips your phone in its claws, ensuring it’ll never get dislodged. It’s a sturdy, well-built holder that doesn’t offer any bells and whistles but performs exactly the function you need it to.
VicTsing Bluetooth FM Transmitter – £16.99, Amazon
Want to play your music through your car’s speakers, but don’t have a modern vehicle? Use this Bluetooth FM transmitter. It’s pretty ingenious; it connects itself to an FM frequency you specify, then you connect your phone to the device via Bluetooth. It’s that simple – no wires and no fuss. There are also 2 USB ports on this thing for charging, as well as USB-C power pass-through for beefier devices. For the price, this is an absolute steal.
