Smartphone durability during daily life?

November 17, 2014 11:50 AM

Can I jam an iphone in my tight side jeans pocket, with a bunch of other crap, sit down, etc., and not have it be destroyed?

I've owned flip phones and candybar phones since forever. I love that they're like $10 on some plans but I like more that I don't care if they get destroyed. I don't have to think about it, ever.

I'm sort of thinking that an iphone or another smart phone would improve the quality of my life a little bit.

How much do I have to babysit a smartphone? Can I slam it into a side pocket with pens and coins, do a full squat without thinking about it, and not have it be destroyed? Or would I have to start being careful and restricted about how I use my body and what I keep in my pockets?

(*Related: I never drop anything, if that comes up.)

posted by zeek321 to Shopping (29 answers total)

It really depends on the phone and case that you use as well as your body type/choice of clothing etc. Another option is to get insurance for accidental damage through apple/carrier/squaretrade. In general, the newer displays don't scratch as much though the body will. Material choice for the body and thinness of the specific phone will determine whether the phone would warp due to bending or drops. There are definitely smartphones that can take a bit more abuse, and I'm sure others can provide specific models.
posted by palionex at 11:56 AM on November 17, 2014

Generally i have my "phone" pocket and "keys & change" pocket and never the two shall meet. I've had three iphones in a row now, and the last two I've managed to keep in nearly pristine shape (ie, I got the max re-sell value from my carrier) with relatively minimal cases.
posted by Oktober at 12:02 PM on November 17, 2014 [8 favorites]

I wouldn't carry it in the same pocket as metal scratchy things, because a scratch on a smartphone screen is pretty annoying. Other than, they are pretty robust. You can also put one in a serious case like an Otterbox Defender, but I'm not sure that's going to fit in your pocket.

If you are concerned about it, it might be worth going for a lower priced smartphone, like a Moto G or a Nokia 635 that are in the $100-150 range. Then you can treat it like your old phones.
posted by smackfu at 12:04 PM on November 17, 2014

I'm pretty hard on mine, but I've just got an iPhone 4s that's worth $100 on a good day. I keep it in a hip pocket, try but often fail to keep the pens and coins in a different pocket, do a lot of squatting and banging into things at work. The glass has some fine scratches, but nothing that's bothersome during use. The sync/charging port gets clogged with lint, which occasionally has to be picked out. The only time I've really damaged it was when I had the phone in my breast pocket and I jumped into the air while playing with my dog. The phone pancaked onto the sidewalk, shattering the screen.
posted by jon1270 at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]

Somewhat smaller and less slim phones - like jon's above mentioned Iphone 4s - are going to be less worrying and more comfortable when jammed into a jeans pocket. There is also an array of places that can swap out components like docking connectors or screens if these should happen to break.
posted by rongorongo at 12:12 PM on November 17, 2014

I've carried an iPhone exactly that way since 2009 with no trouble. It goes in the left pocket, screen toward body. I have a case on it to protect it case I drop it, but no screen protector. Generally change goes in the same pocket, but not keys. I have the phone there when cutting grass, doing carpentry, hiking mountains, whatever. There's not a scratch on the glass. I think even a giant iPhone 6 Plus would be OK this way.
posted by beagle at 12:12 PM on November 17, 2014 [1 favorite]

My iPhone and keys occasionally share a tight side pocket and seem to get along okay. I wouldn't lean or press my leg against something with the phone sandwiched against the keys, but as far as sitting and other everyday activities go I've never had a problem. YMMV
posted by prize bull octorok at 12:15 PM on November 17, 2014

I have a galaxy note two which is cartoon huge (or was when it came out, now it's just above average) and I wear tight fitting jeans most days. I never have a problem, but dedicate my left front pocket to phone and nothing else. Keys, coins, etc will scratch up your finish.

If anything the biggest problem with phones and pants has been shorts with low cut pockets that make your phone fall out when you're sitting.
posted by Ferreous at 12:18 PM on November 17, 2014

Video of Corning doing things to Gorilla glass that are way meaner than anything likely to happen in your pocket. Your older phone was unlikely to have had this. These devices use it.
posted by rongorongo at 12:21 PM on November 17, 2014

Yes, but be careful when pulling your pants down to go to the bathroom.

Ask me how I know.

For Science: I carry mine in my back pocket, screen facing "in", back of case facing the rest of the world. I try not to have it in there with too much other stuff, but it's more out of fear of dropping, losing, or inadvertantly jettisoning something and less out of phone delicacy. Also I am female, wear skinny jeans, and am well endowed in the buttular region.
posted by Sara C. at 12:23 PM on November 17, 2014 [3 favorites]

I don't really do anything special about keeping the phone separate from keys and change and I've never had any problems with it over the years, except for shattering the screen when my headphone wire got caught on my coat yanking the phone out and onto some tiles. So if you can handle the "don't drop it" precaution, I wouldn't sweat any scratching or other dangers.
posted by kaspen at 12:38 PM on November 17, 2014

Video of Corning doing things to Gorilla glass that are way meaner than anything likely to happen in your pocket. Your older phone was unlikely to have had this. These devices use it.

I love my Galaxy S5's aftermarket tempered glass screen cover and spigen case. If you buy the screen cover from a brick and mortar place have the clerk apply it since they're experienced and won't get dust under it.

If or when I scratch the screen cover badly I'll replace it but right now I like the piece of mind.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:54 PM on November 17, 2014

Tight pocket is better than loose so keys stay above or below and pens next to it (and so it doesn't fall out.) Face the body to the screen. Use a case that protects the sides from scratches. Also, if you spend your time near wifi and avoid AT&T and Verizon, you can get a $10/mo plan. I pay $3-5 to Tmobile.
posted by michaelh at 12:55 PM on November 17, 2014

I didn't use a case for years of smart phone ownership. The worst thing that ever happened was my screen got some scratches on it. That is, until recently. I dropped my phone and the glass screen cracked, rendering the screen below the crack nonfunctional. A couple weeks later, I dropped it again in the same spot, so I didn't lose anymore of the touch screen, but the glass started to chip off.

Basically, you'll probably want a case to protect it. They have ones that go over the screen to prevent scratching, but most important is just a case around the body that acts as a "bumper" if you drop the phone so the glass doesn't crack. Or, you can just buy phone insurance.

Sitting down or, as Sara C. said, pulling your pants down can cause your phone to squeeze out of the pocket. So, you'll just want to make sure you don't drop your phone and lose it. But an iPhone (or if you so choose, an Android phone, which is my preference) can go in your pocket with keys. I would have the screen against your thigh and keep keys behind it. I never cared if the back of my phone got scratched. I personally keep my phone in my back pocket, screen against my butt. Keys go in a different pocket. I have sat on my phone many, many times without incident. I have had it accidentally squeeze out of my back pocket a couple times.
posted by AppleTurnover at 12:58 PM on November 17, 2014

A glass screen cover will protect from scratches. Pair it with a case that acts as a bumper (is higher in front than the screen) and you'll have no issues carrying it around. "Bendgate" was overblown. I carried my 6+ without a case for about a week until I got the one I wanted and there was no bending despite it living in my pocket.
posted by soelo at 1:03 PM on November 17, 2014

I've had iPhones since the 3 to my current 6 crammed into my back pocket, and sit on them quite regularly. Some with cases, some without. Most without screen covers because I hate them. I do try and make sure there's nothing else that could scrape the glass in there though, such as coins and keys.

I have however started buying AppleCare for my portable devices, which means that if i accidentally destroy it they'll replace it for a fee that is significantly less then the cost of replacement. I've never actually destroyed a phone yet (although i've dropped it down flights of stairs and other places I shouldn't have) but it gives me some piece of mind knowing that I could...
posted by cgg at 1:07 PM on November 17, 2014

The iphone 1-5 yes, the iphone 6... um...

my 2 year old iphone 5 has one singular scratch on the screen, which somehow happened on halloween. all the other ones have been fine. i wear tight jeans(levi 511s, etc) and i've never had a problem. I can squat all the way down under my desk without it torquing the phone in any meaningful way, and even if it's in a position where it does it won't hurt it.

I just switched to a nexus 5, and from what i've seen from my friends who have those or similar newer android phones they also hold up very well.

Most current smartphones are very durable if you don't drop them, samsung excluded because everything they make is disposable plastic crap. Even keys against the screen generally wont cause any damage. The back of an iphone WILL get scratched up though if you get a not-silver color. The silver ones are basically impervious to scratches. The screen is actually stronger, scratch wise, than the metal amusingly. It's just the finish on the metal that chips/scratches off.

If you haven't had a smartphone, the one i'd recommend for all around durability/awesomeness right now is the iphone 5s. my 5 has been through a lot and just powered through it(playa dust from burning man, water, drops, crushes, you name it. the glass never even broke). I'm just not sure about the 6 durability wise, and android phones are hit or miss. The nexus phones are very well made but will instantly explode if dropped(although you said that isn't an issue), HTC also makes beautiful and very durable phones. You could put an htc one in a back pocket and butt-slam the floor and it would be fine.
posted by emptythought at 1:14 PM on November 17, 2014

Samsung bodies are thin and plastic, but just get a decent case like an OtterBox or Spigen and even those are fine. My Samsung Galaxy Note II is 2 years old now, and it has been dropped so many times I have lost count. I keep it in my back pocket with no trouble (not with keys or coins, but I also carry a purse half the year and it coexists with my keys etc with no issues). My kid has even spilled water on it more than once. No issues at all.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 1:20 PM on November 17, 2014

I changed my habits to have an empty pocket for the phone. Works great... the cracks from dropping don't get any worse ;-}
posted by sammyo at 1:51 PM on November 17, 2014

Nthing to use an empty pocket for the phone, or at the very least don't carry anything like keys or change with it. I have a Galaxy S4 in almost new condition after 1.5 years by keeping it in its own pocket. Gorilla glass notwithstanding, it's just easier to not tempt fate.
posted by Aleyn at 4:39 PM on November 17, 2014

Use a decent case with/and/or a really good screen protector, and you'll have most of your bases covered. If you want to really abuse it, they make cases for that. They all fit in my pockets/clutches, for the most part. I am terrible with phones and use a waterproof/"drop-proof" case, and it fits in my skinny jean (back) pockets just fine.
posted by nobejen at 5:05 PM on November 17, 2014

iPhones 3G 4 5S 6: started with a screen protector and case, lost the screen protector, went minimal on the case, went thin leather case on the 5S, and sold it in pristine shape. With the 6 I'm dropping it a lot more often - the larger size doesn't match my pocket size?

If you are moderately careful and keep it in your pocket without other metal and don't sit on it, you'll be fine. If you want to guarantee that it'll stay pristine, get a screen protector and Otterbox case.
posted by RedOrGreen at 6:14 PM on November 17, 2014

I've never had an iPhone, but they're notoriously easily broken (my husband broke his screen pretty quickly).

I have, however, had various Droid phones, and the only things that ever broke on them were internal components burning out from me running them as a wifi hotspot downloading 24/7. But I've dropped them, sat on them, baptized them in toilets, let them rattle around in my purse with all sorts of crap, etc. and none that did any damage.
posted by Jacqueline at 6:20 PM on November 17, 2014

I've had an iphone 4S since autumn 2011 and I don't use a case or screen protectors on it and it lives in my coat pockets/handbags/jeans pockets with random other stuff. I dropped it a few times. Small scratches on screen. The thing is near indestructable and as work provided this to me I've been trying to destroy it for a while now to get a new one...I might have to actually accidentally drop it in the toilet or out of the third floor window or something...
posted by koahiatamadl at 9:59 PM on November 17, 2014

I'm sort of thinking that an iphone or another smart phone would improve the quality of my life a little bit

No it wouldn't. You'd find yourself increasingly reliant on it, at which point it would pick the worst possible time to fail on you. Resist the siren song of the Touch Screen Interface for as long as you're able.

The only reason I now use a little Huawei Android phone instead of my old Nokia 2730C is because the Nokia can't do personal wifi hotspot. In every other respect I hate the Nokia less.
posted by flabdablet at 4:48 AM on November 18, 2014

Oh, and whatever phone I have lives in a little cloth drawstring bag and doesn't ever share a pocket with my keyrings. Wallet yes; lumpy metal no.
posted by flabdablet at 4:49 AM on November 18, 2014

I've carried two models of iPhone in a front pocket with keys and coins and no screen protector with zero ill effects. Maybe a few tiny scratches after a couple of years. I generally put them in a rubberised case (I use a Griffin one) to protect the back and because I drop it a lot.
posted by Happy Dave at 5:01 AM on November 18, 2014

With a good screen protector and case, a smartphone can stand up to a lot. My new dog - who has cracked plastic with one bite - got ahold of my husband's phone last week and there was only one puncture to the actual screen. There were tons of bite marks in his Otterbox Defender that dented but didn't penetrate/crack before she was able to get to the tasty phone morsel inside.

His last phone (sans case) got stepped on but the screen protector held the cracked glass together enough to use for several months (as parts fell off). Several years ago, his phone died from its third(!) encounter with a framing hammer.

Cases are worth it.
posted by bookdragoness at 7:22 AM on November 18, 2014

The only reason I now use a little Huawei Android phone instead of my old Nokia 2730C is because the Nokia can't do personal wifi hotspot. In every other respect I hate the Nokia less.

Just chiming in again to note that there's a big difference between a $3-700 smartphone and a $50-200 one(or even $100ish, the motorola g is quite nice). The basic ones sometimes don't have glass screens(or not proper reinforced glass), use cheap components from the battery on down, and use much cheaper materials in the actual construction of the physical frame/shell of the thing. a lot of high-end-for-the-time phones like my palm pre, my old HTC G1/dream, and the original iphone will still work if you find one. A lot of those cheap phones just inexplicably die like that.

It's like comparing a sub-$200 laptop to a $1000 laptop.

I would rather have the top of the line model from last year, or even the year before than a basic new cheapie. With the exception of the aforementioned moto g which is really an anomaly at its price.

Plenty of people are still using 4 year old iphone 4's without experiencing a single failure or issue, and quality phones on the other platforms like the modern nokias and HTC have similar endurance. It's really just the corner cutting bargain basement ones that die inexplicably, the regular ones have about the failure rate of higher end laptops.
posted by emptythought at 2:56 PM on November 18, 2014 [1 favorite]