What phone?

So my wife’s work is changing their phone policy such that we are possibly moving to a new network. If we do, my iPhone se won’t make the transition and I will need to get another. I have never cracked  screen with only an otter box case despite many truck seat to pavement drops.

Since my biggest concern is finding something durable with a reasonably sized package to fit in a small persons pocket, I figured I’d ask you guys what you have used successfully since all of you probably have similar abusive pastimes. Basically what has worked well for you?

Does anyone make dumb phones anymore?  Once my iPhone finally gives up the ghost, I'm seriously considering a phone with *reduced* functionality.

In reply to scardeal :

My sister manages to keep finding them somehow, so they must be out there.

No idea. I currently have a Pixel 2, and previously have had Samsung Galaxy or iPhones. 

But I also buy my phones outright and use Project Fi these days. 

I choose phones for computing power and functionality and I'm just careful with them, I consider any durability to be a bonus and use cases if I'm doing something that might put them at risk. I really really like a thumb keyboard, which is why I'm still using a Droid 4. The new phones I'm keeping an eye on are the Asus ROG phone, Razer Phone 2, and Black Shark Helo. None have keyboards but all are powerful and should have a good hardware accessory aftermarket, which might include an addon slider keyboard body.

There are a ton of "dumb phones" still available.  Most you will find with the pre-paid side of the business since that is also where you will find the reduced rate plans that don't supply you with GBs of data.  

Easy answer:  If you want a "dumb phone" head into Walmart and see the selection.  Make note that the handsets will be locked to work only with that specific carrier.  In other words, the VZ prepaid boxed handset will only work with VZ and the ATT boxed handset will only work with ATT, etc.   The retail price is often $19.99 and usually under $40. 

itsarebuild said:

So my wife’s work is changing their phone policy such that we are possibly moving to a new network. If we do, my iPhone se won’t make the transition and I will need to get another. I have never cracked  screen with only an otter box case despite many truck seat to pavement drops.

Since my biggest concern is finding something durable with a reasonably sized package to fit in a small persons pocket, I figured I’d ask you guys what you have used successfully since all of you probably have similar abusive pastimes. Basically what has worked well for you?

If you like the SE, get another SE with the right sort of radio in it for the new network.  They've been discontinued but that was only about a month ago so there's probably still stock kicking around. I just bought one myself because I like the size and the headphone jack.

Keith Tanner said:

itsarebuild said:

So my wife’s work is changing their phone policy such that we are possibly moving to a new network. If we do, my iPhone se won’t make the transition and I will need to get another. I have never cracked  screen with only an otter box case despite many truck seat to pavement drops.

Since my biggest concern is finding something durable with a reasonably sized package to fit in a small persons pocket, I figured I’d ask you guys what you have used successfully since all of you probably have similar abusive pastimes. Basically what has worked well for you?

If you like the SE, get another SE with the right sort of radio in it for the new network.  They've been discontinued but that was only about a month ago so there's probably still stock kicking around. I just bought one myself because I like the size and the headphone jack.

The SE already has the right radio in it.  They should only need to call their old carrier to have the phone hardware unlocked, and then swap SIM cards with one from the new carrier.

I have a S7 Edge that I am happy with.  It was three bills on ebay, but it's a grey market phone and I had to flash it with the latest Verizon OS to get it to work.  PITA and not mentioned in the ebay listing.  The $70 Samsung I bought for my mother at wally world is a pretty nice phone too, but doesn't have all the features of my S7, like the fingerprint scanner and wireless charging.

Note that none of the carriers will activate a phone that doesn't have full 4GLTE on it today.  Found that out the hard way.  That basically means nothing less than a 7, either Samsung or Apple, will be activated, and I have active accounts with Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.  I refuse to deal with ATT after they screwed me over on an internet dongle.  Their trying to save a gigabyte a month of data cost them several hundred dollars a month in cash flow on both wireless and wired.  Screw ATT.

The $60 or $70 one at wally world is a Galaxy J3 Luna Pro.  Straight Talk.

My wife just picked up a construction worker's smart phone (kyocera smart-pro-tough something) from Verizon. She was tired of breaking top-of-the-line fragile phones. This one seems robust, and like it should survive a couple years of her abuse. I know that Samsung also used to make an "Active" version of their galaxy phones that was ruggedized and looked like it would be a good bet, but was only on AT&T. I'd bet that most carriers have some sort of rugged/tough phone that would work.

I just bought a J3V for $100.  It's $100.. if it breaks I can buy 9 more for the price of a new iphone.

Keith Tanner said:

itsarebuild said:

So my wife’s work is changing their phone policy such that we are possibly moving to a new network. If we do, my iPhone se won’t make the transition and I will need to get another. I have never cracked  screen with only an otter box case despite many truck seat to pavement drops.

Since my biggest concern is finding something durable with a reasonably sized package to fit in a small persons pocket, I figured I’d ask you guys what you have used successfully since all of you probably have similar abusive pastimes. Basically what has worked well for you?

If you like the SE, get another SE with the right sort of radio in it for the new network.  They've been discontinued but that was only about a month ago so there's probably still stock kicking around. I just bought one myself because I like the size and the headphone jack.

sucks to hear they are stopping production.  I really hate the big phones.  The 5 series was as big as I want to go....

In reply to red_stapler :

reading up up it looks like the Verizon version se doesn’t have bands 69 and 71 that the t mobile se’ have. I’m trying to figure out what those bands do and whether I need them, but it is a noted difference between versions.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

there didnt seem to be any available on t mobile’s site. Maybe a brick and mortar store might... I was just looking for an easier option.

scardeal said:

Does anyone make dumb phones anymore?  Once my iPhone finally gives up the ghost, I'm seriously considering a phone with *reduced* functionality.

I just got a dumb phone ,  Alcatel Go Flip ,  it has all the LTE bands you will need in the future,

I have an Android tablet i use for the internet

Canoe phone

I still have my S8 with Spigen case. I find this case to be rugged enough to protect my phone.

I came to post, but floated away on a canoe.

My post was to say, Sonim.  It's a small screen Android with a total coverage three year warranty.  If you can scrape the serial number up from the wreckage, they fix or replace.  Most of the phone is made of batteries, so it needs charging once a week new.  Two years in, charge twice a week.

Not a great smartphone, but tough as hell, if that's important.

My iPhone 7 has been chugging along with zero issues for the last year and a half. I would assume since it is now two generations old it would not be expensive. I have a life proof case on it. The case has been replaced two times under warranty. With my now third one being a slightly different design that looks to have cured the problem.

lifeproof cases are expensive but they work exceptionally well. The warranty process is also painless. 

I'll put in a big plug for Pixel 2 on Project Fi.  I love it.

If you are in the Apple world how hard is it to change to the Android world ?

Will all the apps be available on the other platform ?

I  have Android Nexus 6 phones ,  plus an iPad  to watch  YouTube etc.

One other thing you may want is an Android phone that upgrades to the newest version , my Nexus 6 is stuck at 7.1

I would not buy a Nokia 6 phone as mine has turned into a flaming pile of pig poop.

Pretty much all apps other than a couple of really specialised ones should be available on both platforms, but might require re-buying. I then to have both a fruity device and an Android device for work - right now that's an iPhone X and an Essential PH-1.

Android updates can be a pretty annoying issue with a lot of phones. The Pixels are pretty good with that and a handful of other ones, especially when you get an Android One compatible device. I do quite like my Essential PH-1 - it got pretty bad reviews for the camera when it came out, but most of the issues have been resolved and especially a used one is a good buy. They also tend to track the Android updates closely, although given that the future of the company appears a little shaky, nobody knows for how long.

If you do buy an Android phone I'd keep a look out for one that is supported by custom ROMs when the time comes and the manufacturer stops supporting the device.

I also wouldn't rule out a used iPhone SE or an Apple refurb one if you can find it. Apple refurb currently only shows iPhone 7s, though.