Tough smart phones??? Need some help!

[WAcoyotehunter]

I need to upgrade from my old school phone to a smart phone... can anyone give me any ideas for brand/features?

I want a camera, good battery life, and tough.

Someone recommended the Samsung s4... thoughts?

[jackelope]

I think as far as "tough" goes, it's in the case you put the phone in. Not sure there's such a thing as "tough" smart phone. Otter box or Pelican cases are supposed to be the kings of the hill.

Aside from that, I've got little to no experience. I have an iphone 4s and the camera is awesome but the battery life is horrible.

 

[h20hunter]

I have an S4 with an Otter Box case....adds bulk but is the only way to go for the phone.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Not sure how much you are going to spend! A quick search will bring up super good battery life and very rugged.

[alecvg]

There is a case for the iphones called the life case I believe?  I drove over one with a 7 series John Deere, and it didn't damage the phone.  Thats what I would use.

[muzbuster]

No phone is tough, some slightly better then others but all will break under certain conditions. About the best you can do is protect them with a good case and hope for the best, if that isnt good enough then you need to pay for the extra insurance to cover "any damage"  and pay the deductable for a replacement. 
BTW I have an Iphone 5 with an Otter Box case and have droped it on concrete a few times now, last time was from about 7' from the floor, everytime I hold my breath thinking it didnt survive but luckily it has with no issues, knock on wood!
 

[NRA4LIFE]

Look into the G'Zones by Casio.  They are built to several Military Specifications.

[bobcat]

I have a battery case for my iPhone. It's awesome. At the end of the day, my battery is usually still at 100%.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HighCountryHunter88]

i phone with otterbox, done.

[Broken Arrow]

I'm really tough on phones. Have an S4 and an otter box case. A top notch case is a MUST as i think it is the most important feature. Phones seem to get outdated every few months, but a great case will last you years.

[Taqman]

i phone with otterbox, done.

I fell on my butt on a log with my phone in my back pocket and it survived with out any damage.

[jackelope]

i phone with otterbox, done.

Except the battery is horrible. Maybe all the smart phones are. Dunno.

[jrebel]

Buy the insurance and you have nothing to worry about.  It is between 5-8$ a month and if you break it they will replace it.  If you break it without the insurance before you are able to upgrade you will spend a ton of money.  Some of these phones cost 3-500$. 

[LndShrk]

i phone with otterbox, done.

Except the battery is horrible. Maybe all the smart phones are. Dunno.

Turn off unnecessary location services..
and shop richardsolo  The thin pack is awsome.
http://richardsolo.com/richardsolo-smart-power-bank.aspx#.Unfw6fmshcY
 

[Russ McDonald]

I have a Motorola Razr HD with an Otter box case on it.  Dropped it around 8' the other day and survived
.  It is all about the case not the phone.  My phone also has one poof the best battery lifes out of smart phones.  If you go Android go with Motorola, Samsung, or LG. Good luck in your search.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[washingtonmuley]

Look into the G'Zones by Casio.  They are built to several Military Specifications.

I have the commando and that thing has been solid.

[KopperBuck]

I've had a couple Otterbox cases. The new ones are much better than the last go round. Iphone with Otterbox. I'm pretty tough on my phone - work outside, around dust, and always exposed. Phone still looks new.

[whacker1]

I have the Motorola Droid Razr Maxx HD and have had it for a little over a year in a cheap silicone case and it continues to bounce and not break.  I will also suggest insuring them at $8 per month, it is really only a matter of time before I need to use the insurance, but I haven't needed it yet.

[jackelope]

i phone with otterbox, done.

Except the battery is horrible. Maybe all the smart phones are. Dunno.

Turn off unnecessary location services..
and shop richardsolo  The thin pack is awsome.
http://richardsolo.com/richardsolo-smart-power-bank.aspx#.Unfw6fmshcY

Pretty much all location services are off. Protects my honey holes that way. Gonna go look after work. I might need it this weekend.
Thanks for the tip.

[HuntandFish]

iPhone 4S or newer- life proof case and your good to go! Waterproof, drop proof, dust proof! Nothing beats it! Otterbox sucks in comparison.....

BTW insurance only covers 2 replacements in a 2 year span...trust me I know so I have insurance and the life proof! I regularly go wading in the summer with my phone in my pocket, jump in the pool with the kids with it to take pics, and write emails in the shower!

Regards,
H&F

[HntnFsh]

Even with insurance it aint going to be cheap to replace that phone. Prolly $150- $200

[KenPCPilot]

I have the Sony Xperia.  It is the first and only true water resistance phone.  My worry was falling in wading in the river.  I have nice apps for hunting fishing and other useful tasks.  Not into music and movies etc.  very slim so it can fit in pocket comfortably. 

[Russ McDonald]

Even with insurance it aint going to be cheap to replace that phone. Prolly $150- $200

yes.  You are now paying a deductible to twice your phone on insurance. That is why I save all my old phones that aren't broke.  I have like 3 different Droids in a drawer for backup.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[jackmaster]

thats funny, i decided to up grade and my wife got me the new GZ one, it is suppose to be indestructable, your suppose to be able to text under water and it comes with all kinds of huntn apps already on it, its android based, if that helps, its differant than an iphone no clue what that means but ok.... i do know its easy to get on the web and its easy to take pics with it, it does alot more than what i am capable of, but i am learning, oh yeah and its all guranteed at no extra cost because it is suppose to be man proof 

[CAMPMEAT]

Only buy an Android. Where you live an iphone isn't worth the money. Besides, with an iphone , you have to buy everything through Apple. Android has tons of free apps. I sent my iphone back because of the extra costs and lack of free apps.

[jackmaster]

Only buy an Android. Where you live an iphone isn't worth the money. Besides, with an iphone , you have to buy everything through Apple. Android has tons of free apps. I sent my iphone back because of the extra costs and lack of free apps.

:yeah:and if you have an upgrade you might be able to get one at zero cost, mine was free, i had to wait 3 days for it to get sent to me though, which was fine, just be patient, when switching from a regular cell phone to a smart phone it can be pretty frustrating to say the least, mine is simple as simple gets and i wanted to launch it in to the wall a few times 

[Widgeondeke]

I've had my GS3 for a year now. Protected by Otter Box. Been dropped and gotten wet. Phone looks brand new. I got mine ar Costco and purchased a 2yr insurance plan up front for $99. Covers everythin, especially water since I work around buckets of water that was a must.seen many tilesetters phone go plop. 
That GZ above sounds awesome.

[Brad Harshman]

WAIT!  I've been rocking Samsung's Rugby Pro.  Its almost exactly the same size as the Iphone.  Its waterproof and shock proof.  No need for a bulky otter box.  It's better than my iphone 3 that I replaced it with. Ive submerged several times.  No problems. 

You haven't done your research if you haven't found this awesome smart phone.

[Labs07]

I have an Iphone with a Griffin Defender case.  Best case ive had.

[CAMPMEAT]

Wal Mart has the cheapest phones to upgrade. Cost wise that is. AT&T, Verizon are cheaper than their stores.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I don't have an iPhone, but I do have an iPad Mini.  Bought it at the Apple Store site--then found out that Amazon sometimes has Apple products for sale cheaper than the Apple Store.  But that's my luck.

I've had a Tracfone for years, and have been happy with it.  Only thing is, it only seems to ring when I'm on a deer or coyote stand! 

[grundy53]

Look into the G'Zones by Casio.  They are built to several Military Specifications.

I have the commando it's as close to bullet proof as you can get. Water proof, shock proof, and highly scratch resistant. I am VERY hard on my phones they never last a year. I've had this one for close to three years the glass is still scratch free. I don't use a case either.

sent from my typewriter

[Goldeneye]

Look into the G'Zones by Casio.  They are built to several Military Specifications.

I have the commando it's as close to bullet proof as you can get. Water proof, shock proof, and highly scratch resistant. I am VERY hard on my phones they never last a year. I've had this one for close to three years the glass is still scratch free. I don't use a case either.

sent from my typewriter

  I also have a commando.  Nothing has affected it over the last few years.  Tough phones...

[kisfish]

I love my commando. I am still learning everything it does.

[coachcw]

yep go commando !

[Elkrunner]

I think as far as "tough" goes, it's in the case you put the phone in. Not sure there's such a thing as "tough" smart phone. Otter box or Pelican cases are supposed to be the kings of the hill.

Aside from that, I've got little to no experience. I have an iphone 4s and the camera is awesome but the battery life is horrible.

 

I have an otter box on mine.  I  had a few too many one night and was telling a story around the campfire while holding it...welllll...one minute its in my hand and the other in the firepit!!!

I was able to fish it out of there and the otter box was completely melted.  I had just bought this phone the week before and was pleasantly surprised when I took the covers off and the phone still looked brad new.  I got lucky on that one.

[Curly]

I had a few too many one night and was telling a story around the campfire while holding it...well...one minute its in my hand and the other in the firepit!!!

 

[Fl0und3rz]

As said, toughness is mostly about a good case.  Not mentioned yet, but trident makes a good case, as well. I have had one my Droid three since new and it has taken a pretty good beating. 

Regarding Android, beware if need true Java support (as opposed to Androids rendition), you may be disappointed.  Don't know if that is the same with Iphone.

[RB]

I had the Casio Boulder flip phone for years absolutely loved it, put the extended battery on it and could get three days out of it. I upgraded to an I-Phone 5 in May and put it in a Lifeproof case and have had zero trouble. Take it on the boat had it in my pocket all of Deer and Elk season rained on, tons of sweat and dirt no trouble at all! Only draw back is I have to make sure and close all apps or the battery goes in a day, if all apps closed I can get almost two days on a charge still.

As everyone else has stated it is the case that makes it.

[Elkrunner]

I had a few too many one night and was telling a story around the campfire while holding it...well...one minute its in my hand and the other in the firepit!!!

 

The funniest part was I was standing there looking at my hand thinking"Did that just happen" .  At the same time, my buddies wife looked at and said"Dude did that just happen"..thats when I realized WTF I need to get that out..

I'm never going to hear the end of that one.  Otter boxes rock!

[fair-chase]

I am using an Otterbox encased Iphone as my GPS unit and hanging it on my packs shoulder strap. Busting through some damp brush the other weekend and the phone became completely saturated. Outside was barely moist, but it managed to collect pools of water on the inside. Luckily caught it in time to remove the box and dry it out before it crashed. Still, it's a tough case that has protected against many, many falls and drops. Just wish it sealed up a little bit better.


Not exactly a "smartphone" but Sonim makes a pretty rugged phone. Just lacks a lot of the usability features that I've been accustomed to in a phone.

[Heredoggydoggy]

yep go commando !

Funny how the terminology changes with the time and locale.  At a local pub they are always talking about Growlers.  (The containers for take-out beer)  I get a lot of chuckles when I say that where I grew up, a "Growler" was another name for a toilet.   

[jjaba]

casio G-zone... great phone. waiting for contract to come up to get the 4g. the only thing is the flat black paint on the phone doesn't really like government issued bug spray... tough as you can get on the phone dropped mine in water, on rocks, and still going strong.(now that I said that watch it break).