Need new phone

[Rifter]

Ok so im using a old motorolla mike phone, its armored, waterproof, shockproof, and has taken lots of abuse not limited to me running it over with my truck multiple times and burrying it in a mud pit 3 feet deep and having to get a shovel to get it back(while it was ringing so i could locate it).

I've finally decided to get a smartphone and move out of the darkages. Obviously im not looking for one as durable because thats simply not possible, but being able to write a text message in less than 10 min would be nice. I'll get a good case and hope for the best but i am hard on phones.

Budget is $500 or so, i want leading edge tech, if im going smartphone im going to go as cutting edge as i can. Will purchase after xmas in jan or feb so phone does not need to be out now.

Should i just get a Iphone 4s or one of the new Android ICS phones i hear are hitting the market soon?

 

[s44]

I've finally decided to get a smartphone and move out of the darkages. Obviously im not looking for one as durable because thats simply not possible

http://mobile.engadget.com/2011/05/14/casio-gzone-commando-review/

 

[Rifter]

doesnt look as tought as my current moto and looks like the screen would crack if i ran it over with my truck but its a start i guess

 

[vshah]

did you do all that just for fun? or by accident? if the latter, i think you just need one of these:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875993285

 

[smartpatrol]

You'll definitely want to look at an OtterBox case for whatever you get. It'll make your phone a lot less sexy but a lot more durable.

Anyway, the Galaxy Nexus is launching in the next week or two (by the end of November). If you want a cutting edge Android phone, that is the only one I'd consider, personally.

iPhone 4s is very nice. Just keep in mind that the edge-to-edge glass, while it looks really nice, also tends to shatter if you drop it on a hard surface. Definitely cover it up with a case if you get one.

 

[dguy6789]

What carrier are you on? That's pretty important for selecting a phone.

iPhone 4/4S is a good phone but it is the most fragile phone there is. Build quality is not one of its top features. You can of course get a case that makes it as big as a Dell Streak if you have to have one and want it to be safe from drops.

If you're on Verizon it's the Samsung Galaxy Nexus(not out yet), HTC Rezound, and Moto Droid Razr/Bionic in order of best to worst of the best phones on the carrier. On every other carrier the Galaxy S2 is the best phone to get.

My $0.02.

 

[s44]

I'm actually serious about the Casio. A case will isolate some shocks but won't keep liquid out of the phone when he drops it into mud, etc. It's a bit underspecced compared to the 4S or GS2, but he's coming from a crappy dumbphone here! As long as he knows to download the Google Apps from the Market, it's fine...

 

[Rifter]

Most of the drops were accidental, i do alot of offroad vehicle recoveries in my own truck for the tow company i work for because none of our fleet is 4x4 or lifted on mud tires. So im out in the mud alot and on the phone alot while im out there. Obviously if i get a smartphone i will leave it in the truck and not use it in the mud as i have been with my current phone. A otterbox case will be a definate buy for any phone i get.

Im on rogers in canada for carrier.

 

[Rifter]

http://mobile.engadget.com/2011/05/14/casio-gzone-commando-review/

one more question about this phone line, does anyone know if a ICS version is planned?

 

[ElFenix]

http://mobile.engadget.com/2011/05/14/casio-gzone-commando-review/

i always wondered what this commercial was selling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkivFKnc35g

 

[s44]

one more question about this phone line, does anyone know if a ICS version is planned?

That would be a new phone. I'm sure it will happen at some point, but there haven't been any rumors I've seen yet.

 

[Rifter]

That would be a new phone. I'm sure it will happen at some point, but there haven't been any rumors I've seen yet.

so if no announcement i guess the chance of it happening by feb 2012 is kinds 0% huh.

 

[yh125d]

Well whatever you get, it sounds like investment in one of the 0 deductible insurance plans that cover accidental damage (water, drops, my kid smashed it with a brick) would be money well spent

 

[Pliablemoose]

Score an ICS OS'd phone with 4G and a big screen and wrap it in an OtterBox case.

 

[Zaap]

You might look into the Droid Razr. Part of its hype is that its very strong. I had my first hands-on with one today and I have to say it does feel pretty damned indestructible. I'm fairly certain you could actually jam an elevator door with one. I don't think I'd try running over one with a truck, but then again that's pretty much any smartphone.

Whatever you do, stay away from the iPhone 4. From the sound of it one would last you about five minutes.