Source: Samsung
Update, June 7 (1:00 pm ET): The UV steriliser is now being made available globally.
What you need to know
- Samsung is now selling a UV sterilizer for your phone and other gadgets.
- The enclosure also doubles as a 10W wireless charger.
- It's currently selling for about $50 (or more) in different locations.
As COVID-19 cases continue surging across the world, personal hygiene has taken center stage as one of the most important means of preventing infection. And while washing your hands every so often is certainly important, let's not forget that your phone may be ten times as dirty as your toilet seat — and could even have fecal matter on it! Yuck!
Thanks to Samsung, though, you won't have to worry about those pesky little viruses contaminating your phone. The company this week launched a new UV sterilizer for your phone — and any other electronics, for that matter — which it claims kills up to 99% of germs and bacteria, thanks to its use of UV-C radiation. Laboratory tests by Philips using the same type of radiation on the coronavirus would seem to back up that claim.
The product is a simple, gray enclosure that, Samsung claims, should thoroughly disinfect both sides of your phone in just about 10 minutes. As an added bonus, the sterilizer also doubles as a wireless charger, although its atrociously slow 10W charging rate may have you missing your good old wired charger soon after.
The product seems to be an extension of the phone sanitizing service Samsung was already offering its customers in select locations across the world. The UV Sanitizer in question, however, is currently only being sold in Thailand for 1,590 baht (~$50). Hopefully, the product will make its way to other countries soon, but until then, there are plenty of alternatives in the market that do the same thing.
Update, June 15 (11:15 pm ET) — Samsung has now announced the product globally
Samsung today announced global availability for its UV sanitizer, with listings popping up in its stores in Germany, Romania, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Best Phone Cleaning Kits in 2020
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro review: The new best
Samsung's aiming squarely at the AirPods Pro with the new Galaxy Buds Pro, but it's done something better: it's made one of the best-sounding wireless earbuds you can buy.
Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro review: Sounds about right
Soundcore isn't a household brand just yet, but Anker's headphone division is making a name for itself as the producer of the best-sounding true wireless earbuds under $150.
Did you pre-order the Galaxy S21?
Pre-orders for the Galaxy S21 are open right now! Did you pre-order the phone already or plan on doing so soon?
The best phone deserves the best case so find the perfect S20 FE case
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S20 FE and the device is sure to turn plenty of heads for the next few months. With stiff competition in the mid-range market, it's clear that Samsung wants to compete and the S20 FE is fantastic. If you're picking one of these awesome new devices up, make sure you pair it with a case to keep it looking awesome.