[Ray Dunakin]

Until recently I've never needed or wanted a "smartphone". I don't do texting and I don't need to have constant internet access everywhere I go. I just want to make and receive phone calls. The fact that my flip phone is very durable against bumps, knocks, drops, etc. is also very important to me. And I like the convenience and safety of having it in a holster on my belt.

However... I just got an action camera that requires a smartphone to be able to use all the features. I'm also interested in getting a drone one of these days, and it seems those also require a smartphone.

So I'm wondering if there are ways to improve the durability of a smartphone? Is there anything you can put over the screen to keep it from getting scratched or broken?

Also what is the best way to carry one? I already have plenty of stuff in my pockets, no room for a phone there. I'd rather have it holstered on my belt but I don't know how practical that would be for such a large phone, or even if there's any kind of holster available.

[joehadams]

speaking from an iPhone standpoint (because I have one), i have had good luck with the Otter Box Defender series cases (https://www.otterbox.com/en-us/defender-series). They have belt clip holsters as well. If you prefer a less bulky case without a built in screen protector i would recommend the speck brand case that i have now. protective, grippy, durable, and then you can add a tempered glass screen protector to offer a layer of protection for the touchscreen.

your action camera ( and future drone) probably require a device running iOS or Android rather than an AT&T or Verizon "smartphone" with their own proprietary operating system. Check out the iphones, check out the samsung phones, probably the two most popular choices


hope this was helpful.

[RAD4Runner]

Originally Posted by Ray Dunakin

...
So I'm wondering if there are ways to improve the durability of a smartphone? Is there anything you can put over the screen to keep it from getting scratched or broken? .

Life-proof case. Water-proof, Shock-proof. Just put phone inside, voila!
I've swam with my phone in it in my life vest pocket.

Most newer model phones now are already tough on their own. In fact (before I got a life-proof for it):
1) I was taking a video with my Samsung S5 from the bed of pickup truck at highway speeds (in a third world country). Wind blew my phone out of my hands, it landed on highway, and I watched helplessly as a truck full of sugarcane almost ran it over-LOL! Battery cover and battery fell out. Phone survived with superficial scratches.
2) I was on second deck of dive resort, phone fell out of my pocket, though the gap on deck boards to concrete below. Same results as above.

When I got back to the U.S. I bought the Life-proof case (to save the 7 remaining lives- LOL!)

I've had my S5 since April 2014

[Thai]

A few things:

1. Otterbox Defender are tough, has integrated plastic screen protector, and belt holster. But they are thick and heavy cases. Screen protector (plastic) scratches easily and has rainbow/watermark effect.

2. Lifeproof cases are good as well. Waterproof, but not really for submersion...i have had several Lifeproof leak on me! I do not trust them completely for water sport. The Fre case has integrated screen protector but makes your screen look like crap. The Nuud case has no screen protector...so, that you have to get aftermarket.

3. The latest Seidio Surface case is really good. My favorite. Cheaper than the two above by a lot. Hard plastic case outside and a thin TPU case inside over the phone. So, it is tough enough...yet very thin and does not add bulk. It also comes with belt holster. You do need a separate screen protector. I prefer glass screen protector, which can be cheap on Amazon.

So, above are the 3 major cases to consider if you want to toughen your phone. Your next job is deciding which smartphone you want...Apple or Android. Most new flagship phones from either are waterproof enough...so, Lifeproof is not really needed.

[n2advnture]

I'm an IT director and part of that is managing 120+ iphones.

I agree with all of the above posts regarding the Otterbox defender series and Lifeproof cases

Since you're doing it, you might as well go all the way with it.

I'd recommend the iphone 7 or 7s plus since it's already water resistant (if you don't want an Iphone, I'd recommend the Samsung Galaxy s7 which is also water resistant and Android bases instead of iOS).

The new thicker screen protectors are sweet and essentially "self apply" which is great (just make sure there is ZERO specs of dust on them).

If the 7 series phones price range is not doable, the 6s plus and Galaxy S6 are also great phones with a decent cost savings.

I hope this helps

~Mark

[MtnT4R]

Keep in mind that 'water resistant' phones are typically covered under the optional insurance for water damage. However, I've wrecked two Samsung S5s by just wading into the water to grab my kayak(less than 30 seconds submersion at a few inches under the surface), when the phone was technically rated for a 30 minute submersion at up to a foot of water.

So...water resistant phone, then waterproof case, then a drybag if you're going to be on the water.

As far as drops and impacts, pretty much any case with a bezel that protects the edge of your screen will be fine.

Try to avoid keeping it in a back pocket and sitting on it- I leaned back on a rock last summer and blew out the camera lens cover. I've seen holsters that offer a really secure carry option, so you might go that route.

Other than that...smartphones are pretty useful, even if you dont think you'll use it all that much. You can get apps that have levels, ballistic calculators, all sorts of weather data, moon cycles, constellation maps...literally anything you can think of. Makes the smartphone a really useful tool.

[97BlackAckCL]

Otterbox or Life Case for sure!

[amalik]

Originally Posted by MtnT4R

Other than that...smartphones are pretty useful, even if you dont think you'll use it all that much. You can get apps that have levels, ballistic calculators, all sorts of weather data, moon cycles, constellation maps...literally anything you can think of. Makes the smartphone a really useful tool.

Don't forget Tapatalk and mobile access to T4R for those nights when your significant other says come to bed because you're on the computer too much... so you come to bed and you're the hero... until she falls asleep and you whip out that smartphone and view build threads and 3rd gen troubleshooting into the wee hours of the morning as the moon shines down.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by amalik

Don't forget Tapatalk and mobile access to T4R for those nights when your significant other says come to bed because you're on the computer too much... so you come to bed and you're the hero... until she falls asleep and you whip out that smartphone and view build threads and 3rd gen troubleshooting into the wee hours of the morning as the moon shines down.

Does she say..."boy, that was fast..."?

[propain]

How about a 10" Tablet? Can you use that? Is the requirement that you need bluetooth or do you actually need cell coverage for your action cam?

You can load up trails on it as well, and its nice to guide you through trails via GPS only.

[Ray Dunakin]

Thanks for all the helpful advice, everybody! I'm definitely leaning towards an iPhone since I've been a Mac guy from day one. Good to know that there are some options for both protecting and carrying them.

An iPad or other tablet is something else to think about, particularly for GPS and topo maps. Would it work as well as a dedicated GPS device (Garmin, etc)? It would certainly be easier to see on the larger screen. If I went that route I could just stick with my existing phone and only use the tablet for the non-phone uses.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by Ray Dunakin

Thanks for all the helpful advice, everybody! I'm definitely leaning towards an iPhone since I've been a Mac guy from day one. Good to know that there are some options for both protecting and carrying them.

An iPad or other tablet is something else to think about, particularly for GPS and topo maps. Would it work as well as a dedicated GPS device (Garmin, etc)? It would certainly be easier to see on the larger screen. If I went that route I could just stick with my existing phone and only use the tablet for the non-phone uses.

IPad with GPS are generally not cheap and pretty much cost as much as an iPhone. You still have two devices at the end of the day...and likely paying phone bills for BOTH devices...and unless you use your iPad multiple times a day everyday, you are paying monthly fee on a device that is mainly for weekend getaways.

On the other hand, if you just get iPhone 7 Plus (for example), you don't need your flip phone anymore. AND you display (5.5") is pretty big and you can easily run mapping apps with ease and see it well (even with aging eyes). You pay phone bills for ONE device. One device that does all.

Now, if you still insist big iPad for bigger maps, then just get a non-GPS iPad (cheaper!). Next, turn on HOTSPOT feature on your iPhone (shares connectivity, such as GPS and data, with your iPad) and you can do the same mapping stuff on your iPad without having to pay monthly fee!!

[Thai]

Originally Posted by Ray Dunakin

Thanks for all the helpful advice, everybody! I'm definitely leaning towards an iPhone since I've been a Mac guy from day one. Good to know that there are some options for both protecting and carrying them.

An iPad or other tablet is something else to think about, particularly for GPS and topo maps. Would it work as well as a dedicated GPS device (Garmin, etc)? It would certainly be easier to see on the larger screen. If I went that route I could just stick with my existing phone and only use the tablet for the non-phone uses.

One more thing...there is a GARMIN app on iPhone. I have it. It works great when i do not have cellular connections such as in the mountains of Colorado. So, yes, with Garmin app, i still have mapping capability when there are no cell towers around. (In those cases, Google and Apple Maps are useless.)

Again, ONE device for all.

[Dropzone]

Originally Posted by Thai

One more thing...there is a GARMIN app on iPhone. I have it. It works great when i do not have cellular connections such as in the mountains of Colorado. So, yes, with Garmin app, i still have mapping capability when there are no cell towers around. (In those cases, Google and Apple Maps are useless.)

Again, ONE device for all.

You realize you can download Google maps (sections of the area you need ) and use it offline?

[Thai]

Originally Posted by Dropzone

You realize you can download Google maps (sections of the area you need ) and use it offline?

Yes, but that requires planning ahead of time. I prefer to have an option that i can jump to anytime.