Electronics in the cold: Safeguarding your devices this winter

Among the devices most susceptible to the effects of cold are those that are frequently used, such as phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. Low temperatures can not only reduce performance but also potentially cause serious damage.

The least troublesome winter ailment can be considered the reduced efficiency of batteries and power sources. Power supply issues in mobile devices can occur even in milder conditions and become particularly bothersome when combined with cold. However, more concerning are malfunctions resulting from stress in electronic circuit components caused by temperature changes. Prolonged exposure to frost can render equipment entirely inoperative, and data on hard drives may be irretrievably lost.

The absolute worst solution for chilled equipment is warming it directly using a heat source like a radiator. Such a sudden temperature change almost always leads to scratches or cracks. When entering a warmer room, it is advisable to wait a few minutes before turning the cold device back on, allowing the equipment to acclimate to the surrounding temperature.

How to tackle the issue of cold? First and foremost, it's important to use appropriate cases. Phones should be carried in the inner pockets of jackets. This is especially important for modern smartphones, which perform significantly worse in low temperatures compared to older models. For instance, an iPhone can stop working at just -6 degrees Celsius. Before entering a house, it is good to place a camera in a sealed plastic bag to gradually restore its warmth.

Using ATMs in extreme cold can also present problems, where sometimes touch screens stop working, and operating systems freeze. To avoid issues, it's better to withdraw money from ATMs in shopping centres.