Smartphone accessories aren’t just add-ons, they’re a huge part of the experience of using and owning your device. But, for.
Smartphone accessories aren’t just add-ons, they’re a huge part of the experience of using and owning your device. But, for Android users, it’s often felt like we’re getting the short end of the stick, with a whole world of accessories that only ever seem to care about the iPhone. Finally, though, that feels like it’s changing.
There are some staples in the accessory world. A case, a screen protector, a battery bank. These are pretty standard and, for the most part, abundant no matter what smartphone you’re using. Some lesser-known Android phones might present trouble in finding a good case from a reputable brand, but there’s something out there.
It’s when you stray from the staples, or venture beyond phone accessories that a thriving ecosystem turns into a sparse desert.
For example, let’s imagine you’re a happy Nothing Phone (3) owner. Great phone! Need a case? There are a few recognizable brands, Spigen, Tudia, Ringke, but after that, it’s a sea of jibberish sellers. “Fhyeugfy” is in the top 10 results on Amazon right now. Need something local? Good luck. Frankly, owning almost any Android phone outside of the latest flagship Galaxy makes buying local accessories borderline impossible. You might have a handful of options at a local Best Buy, buried at the end of 1,000 different iPhone cases. At least, that’s how it feels in the US.
Matters are even worse outside of phones, though. First-party accessories for other Android devices – like tablets and smartwatches – are incredibly important because the third-party market is just absolutely empty. Dialing in on smartwatches, the market for third-party accessories is laughable compared to the likes of the Apple Watch, even for “heavy hitters” like the Galaxy Watch. Google, with its specialized Pixel Watch connector, has been the only one making decent bands for its smartwatch up until this past year, and options are still very limited.
