During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to clean touched surfaces, especially one that most of us touch numerous times during the day, our phones! In fact according to a 2019 survey, the average person touches their phone 2,617 times a day! You can avoid spreading microbial life (bacteria, viruses, etc.) by washing your hands before touching your phone, or cleaning your phone using standard disinfecting wipes (may damage your device). However, this may be impractical given how much we use them. A more convenient no-contact solution may be phone sterilization boxes that have popped up recently. These UV light sanitizers produce UV-C light that companies claim kill 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses. It works by destroying the DNA or RNA of viruses and bacteria. According to the National Academy of Sciences, it’s probable that UV light can also kill coronavirus. UV light has actually been used for a long time now to disinfect surfaces and water.
Guest Author, Steve M., shares his thoughts and review of the Merkury Neutro Phone Sterilizer
I have been using the Merkury Neutro UV Phone sterilizer / wireless charger device for a few weeks now. It was given to me as a gift. The main purpose of this device is to kill 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses that are on the outside surface of any smartphone. It only takes 3 minutes to complete the sterilizing process and is very simple to use. You simply place your phone into the plastic enclosure and press a button on the front to begin the process. A light glows blue to indicate the sterilization is underway and is extinguished to indicate the operation is complete.
As a bonus, if you have a phone compatible with Qi wireless charging, this model can also charge your phone while it is inside the device. You have to be a bit careful with the placement of the phone within the box (place it near the centre) to ensure it charges. There is a second indicator light on the front of the box that will glow blue to confirm charging is in progress or light up red in case there is a contact problem precluding charging. It is possible to use the device to wirelessly charge the phone inside, even without activating the sterilizing mode.
The box also has one USB OUT and one Type C port on the front in case you don’t have a Qi-compatible phone and/or want to charge other devices through the box. For power input, via the back of the device, you need the included Type-C USB cord and standard USB wall power plug (not included).
Front of device 
Back of device 
Inside device
I have been using the device with my Apple iPhone 8 with no difficulty, although I have no way of validating the claims about the germs being killed. My phone takes up very little of the available space inside the box so it would be large enough to accommodate bigger phones as well. I expect the sales of this product have increased in recent months as a result of our need to interrupt COVID-19 virus transmission during the ongoing pandemic.
If you’re interested in a reasonably priced alternative that is now on sale (with coupon), check out the Cahot UV Sanitizer and Phone Charger on Amazon.
TECHNOMUSCLE 