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+--- Thread: advice on durable smart phone? (/showthread.php?tid=170851)
advice on durable smart phone? - mattkime - 09-07-2014
my gf is kind of rough on phones. her samsung is about 18 months old and has seen enough. despite our best efforts the battery life is terrible. i'm tempted to "make" her get an iphone but a case would definitely be in order.
any durable case recommendations without going full otterbox? is there any reason to believe that an adroid phone would be more durable than an iphone?
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - Marc Anthony - 09-07-2014
If you are careless and abusive with your devices, I wouldn't recommend the iPhone at ~ $600; go with a Nokia 530 or the Moto G at ~ $125. The back shell can be changed out, if scuffed, on both, and the Moto has a good reputation for close to all day battery life.
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - GuyGene - 09-07-2014
No way would I get anything but an iPhone. It's the system, OS, that is. Pleasure of use, etc. and, they are indeed strong.
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - modelamac - 09-07-2014
Sorry, but have to ask: What makes you think she might not be as rough on an iPhone, or do you think an iPhone will stand up better to her "use"?
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - macphanatic - 09-07-2014
Griffin Survivor or Ballistic case.
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - Wags - 09-07-2014
I replaced the battery in my old HTC with one that has even more power. Cost less than $20. Now it will go 2 days without a recharge.
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - sekker - 09-07-2014
Our sponsor has some great durable cases.
I find that smart phones tend to be in women's back pockets much more often than with men - it's the fact that women's clothes have few if any working front pockets.
My wife is terrible on her phone, but it's been ok since I've just put her phone in good cases. I've had to replace her cases when they get terrible.
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - Robert M - 09-07-2014
Matt,
You're looking at two entirely separate issues. Moving her to an iPhone isn't going to solve the battery life problem. Battery life on any smartphone is going to suck. Doesn't matter make and model. It's just the nature of smartphone. That's why it's important to have a charger at home and one at work. Or, if necessary, a battery case.
Durability is a different matter entirely. Ruggedized phones are available but they aren't going to be to the liking of your girlfriend. They're designed to not require a heavy-duty case like the Griffin Survivor or Otterbox Defender. If someone is rough on a phone but doesn't need a ruggedized model, then a standard phone in a protective case will do the job.
I had a Griffin Survivor. Not a fan anymore. It didn't hold up as well as its Otterbox equivalent. My case of choice is the TakTik by Lunatik. Expensive as heck but somewhat stylish and very durable. It's served me well for a very long time. NewerTech has a nice rugged case. So do a slew of other brands.
FWIW, most people don't need a case as heavy-duty as a Griffin Survivor or Otterbox Defender. They do fine with a case that is lighter-duty but still protective. Something like a Otterbox Commuter may be just enough.
But, here's the thing. She must be willing to accept the fact that any case that is appropriately protective is going to increase the weight and bulk of a phone. And, they may make it look less stylish or pretty. This is the price you pay for a protective case. doesn't matter make or model.
Robert
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - M A V I C - 09-07-2014
I can't remember if I recommended it, but did you ever install https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccc71.bmw&hl=en ?
I forget if she has a SGS3 or SGS4, but idle ma usage should be under 100ma, if not under 50ma. Today my SGS4 was getting bad battery usage and I discovered it was a bloatware messaging app that was installed by Samsung.
Re: advice on durable smart phone? - mattkime - 09-07-2014
Thanks MAVIC, on it.
>>You're looking at two entirely separate issues. Moving her to an iPhone isn't going to solve the battery life problem. Battery life on any smartphone is going to suck.
The battery life on her phone is particularly sucky. She rarely makes it through the day without a recharge. Its still open to debate as to whether she's just a heavy user compared to me or if there's something wrong. I don't doubt she uses it a fair amount but i still think she should be able to make through the day.
She's been rough on her Galaxy S3 as well. I'm trying to figure out if an iphone would be more breakable - but i think its probably a negligible difference between phones.
At this point, if i recommend a new phone for her it would have to come with a case.
...just looked at the nwertech cases. Looks great!