Does a rugged but pretty cell phone exist?

August 17, 2020 9:30 AM

I'm looking for a new smartphone. I drop my phones VERY often so I'm looking for one that's drop-proof and water resistant. However, I would prefer it to be somewhat streamlined looking and have a good camera. It does not have to be this year's model but I would prefer to buy new, not refurbished. Any suggestions? Thank you!
posted by chaiminda to Technology (15 answers total)

The Cat S60 is a ruggedized Android phone. Reviews of it are mostly... amused. The Samsung Galaxy XCover FieldPro is another, better-spec'd (but maybe less rugged and definitely more expensive) option (and it's 'made for first responders,' for whatever that's worth).

Using a regular phone along with a case from someone like Lifeproof, Otterbox, or Pelican might be another option.
posted by box at 9:42 AM on August 17, 2020

Maybe a dumb question, but are you planning/open to using a case? Rugged cases have gotten very streamlined these days.
posted by mekily at 9:44 AM on August 17, 2020

Yes, I'm open to the suggestion "just use a case" if that makes the most sense.
posted by chaiminda at 9:45 AM on August 17, 2020

Hello, my name is amaire and I am also a dropper. I have kept my current iPhone unshattered for an unprecedented length of time through the combination of an Otterbox and a glass screen protector (this stick-on layer has cracked, and I could replace it, but it’s minor and I don’t care). The screen protector is what’s really made a difference. I was a regular customer of my local screen replacement service before adding it (once the same week a new phone was purchased, ugh).

I have not looked into the water resistant cases because while I do spill liquid on my phone regularly, it dried out fine the one time I dropped it in the toilet.
posted by amaire at 9:50 AM on August 17, 2020

I am also a daily iphone dropper. I dont even have an otterbox, just a regular old spigen case and a screen protector. Last weekend i tripped, fell, sent my phone flying across a gravel driveway, and the phone is fine. Case (and my knees and elbows) are scratched to crap now, but the case did its job.

An Otterbox or Pelican should be able to protect any solidy-built late model phone just fine (ie iPhone 8 or newer in quality if i had to quantify it)
posted by cgg at 9:53 AM on August 17, 2020

Use a case, get an Otterbox.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:08 AM on August 17, 2020

Check out the Tech21 line of cases, I have one on my phone. Very stream line and so far has protected the phone.
posted by tman99 at 10:21 AM on August 17, 2020

I would go iPhone SE + case route. The SE has a really good and fast processor, which is "future proof" for several years and very good camera (not the best).
posted by zeikka at 10:32 AM on August 17, 2020

The phone itself can be waterproof, but for drop-resistance, definitely endorsing the otterbox.
posted by Tomorrowful at 10:33 AM on August 17, 2020

Otterbox + glass screen protector. I like the Commuter series cases. I work in a harsh environment and drop my phone fairly often, but I've never damaged it when it was in one of these cases.
posted by jon1270 at 10:38 AM on August 17, 2020

This is just a data point but up until about 2014 I used a variety of phones (Blackberries, plus phones made by Samsung, LG, and Motorola), which all died as a result of being dropped. In 2014 I started buying iPhones, which I protect only with the basic silicone case. I still drop my phone all the time, but my iPhones have never taken any damage from it, not even a cracked screen. And I have dropped them hard.

I don’t know if that’s iPhone-specific; maybe all phones have gotten tougher/stronger over time. And I definitely don’t want to sound like an Apple zealot. But FWIW personally I’ve had no problems with hardware longevity since I switched to Apple.
posted by Susan PG at 10:39 AM on August 17, 2020

I used a Cat S60 and its follow up phone for windsurfing. They are largely bulletproof.

However, I believe that a modern iPhone with a case will do just as well. That is the solution that I currently use.
posted by pdoege at 11:13 AM on August 17, 2020

Otterbox or similar sturdy case, plus a quality screen cover for the glass on your phone. I have often blessed the screen cover makers for saving my iPhone from disaster.
posted by bearwife at 11:13 AM on August 17, 2020

Most if not all of the recent iPhones are water resistant / proof. I dropped mine in the pool (iPhone XR) and was really upset until my husband reminded me about the waterproof-ness. It seemed like magic but it was really fine.

Ditto case + screen protector.
posted by kellygrape at 7:20 PM on August 17, 2020

The slimline-iest of Otterbox cases are prettier than the bulky ones, and have served me well through my last few phones, with one caveat: The rubber bumper on the clear cases will get yellow and vile-looking eventually from contact with your skin. They claim it won’t discolor, but that just means it takes longer than it used to.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 12:28 AM on August 18, 2020