Your phone is your most precious possession. Most people take theirs everywhere, from sandy beaches to shady bathrooms. In order to keep your phone in good shape as long as possible, you need a device that can handle anything. Luckily, phones are becoming more and more durable these days in order to accommodate even the most rigorous lifestyles. Here’s a few factors to consider when choosing a new phone that can handle your everyday shenanigans.
Water Resistance
These days, a lot of phones are offering water resistance, which is great if you’re into adventures like kayaking or swimming. Generally, you’ll want to investigate a phone’s Ingress Protection (IP) Rating to make sure it offers the level of protection you need. These days, many phones have ratings of IP67 or IP68.
The first number in this rating is for protection from dust and debris, and it can vary on a scale from zero to six. The second number is the moisture protection, and it varies on a scale from zero to eight. Therefore, a device with a rating of IP67 has maximum protection from dust and can stay protected when submerged in up to 1 meter of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.
If you’re looking for a solid phone with an IP67 rating, the iPhone 7 on the T-Mobile network is a great choice, as it comes with this dual protection to keep you safe on all of your adventures. Whether you’re traversing the Sahara Desert or scuba diving off the coast of New Zealand, you should have no problem keeping the iPhone 7 safe from the elements while staying connected on one of the nation’s fastest networks.
Service Coverage
For those constantly on the go, having cell service wherever you are is a huge plus. You simply don’t have time to hold your phone up to the sky in the hopes that even the smallest bar of 3G will appear. While most phones these days do have adequate signal reception, there are a few that stand out among the crowd. In particular, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge leads the pack, followed closely by the Sony Xperia Z5 and the Nexus 6P. These phones have upgraded capabilities that make it easier for them to connect to nearby cell towers.
Shatter Resistance
Some people are rather rough with their phones. If you’ve ever suffered a cracked screen, you know how fragile some models can be. Sometimes, all it takes is a light drop to completely destroy a phone. For these people, getting a phone with shatter resistance is ideal. In particular, look for phones that offer either a shatterproof glass display or a Gorilla Glass display, both of which should keep your screen from looking like it’s been in a car accident.
The Moto Z Force is one of the few phones that claims to be completely shatterproof. However, both the tomtom HT20 and the Cat S60 feature Gorilla Glass displays to prevent cracks and chips.
Battery Life
When you lead a busy life, you probably don’t have the time to sit down for a few hours to charge your phone. Therefore, you need a phone that can last the entire day without dying. Manufacturers have started to realize the demand for long-lasting phone batteries, creating a number of models geared toward preserving juice through the day. Generally, for the longest time unplugged, you should seek out a phone with a battery that has at least 3,000 mAh.
While each phone on the market has different battery draws, having a 3,000 mAh battery is generally enough stored power to last most of the day. Some of the phones with the longest lasting batteries on the market include the ZenFone 3 Zoom, Moto Z Play, OnePlus 5, and LG X Power.
As you can see, there are plenty of durable phone options out there that can meet the needs of your frantic and hectic life. All you have to do now is narrow down the features that matter most and choose a phone that includes most or all of them.