Rugged Smartphones

emg74

Hi - Looking to get a new phone for other half - At the minute he has a Samsung s3 mini which is so slow and the battery is constantly low

He is looking to change but wants something with a small screen - I have a Xiaomi Note 3 and he said it is way too big for him..

He does alot of manual work and welding so a high risk of dust / metal shavings etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience / recommendations for a rugged builders phone

I am looking at something like this - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Ulefone-Armor-MTK6753-Octa-Core-Android-6-0-Mobile-Phone-4-7-Inch-3500mAh-Cell/32766257709.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.292.Dr029x&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10068_5410020_10304_10307_10137_10060_10302_10155_10154_5370011_10056_10055_10054_10059_100031_10099_5400020_10103_10102_5430011_10052_10053_10142_10107_10050_10051_5380020_10171_5390020_10084_10083_10119_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_5420020_10112_10113_10114_10312_10313_10314_10315_10078_10079_10073_10120-10050,searchweb201603_1,ppcSwitch_4&btsid=74f25816-11bb-4d2c-b7ba-454a6313bc14&algo_expid=a5138eef-4434-40c0-83ab-cd479b0ab8db-38&algo_pvid=a5138eef-4434-40c0-83ab-cd479b0ab8db&transAbTest=ae803_1

Or would I be better to just look for a smaller screen regular phone and get a good case for it

All recommendations welcome - As I said I have a Xiaomi myself and have just bought one for my sister but am looking for a small screen - less than 5"

I have no problem with buying online but would like a brand that would be reliable etc - equivalent quality to Xiaomi

barry75

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Chester Copperpot

CAT do reasonably priced phones targeted for this market

emg74

After watching a few YouTube videos I have gone for the Ulefone Armour. Another that I looked at was Blackview BV 6000 but preferred the look of the Ulefone... Bought from geekbuying German warehouse so should have it next week. Hopefully he'll like it and that it holds up to the abuse it will no doubt get

anthony500_1

How did you get on with the ulefone armour??? I bought the blackview bv6000 but the ear piece speaker started deteriorating over the last few weeks and eventually packed up over the weekend, looked at the armor on line and will do all I need, so just wondering how your real world experience has been of thephone

emg74

Hi - We have the Ulefone Armour about 6-8 weeks at this stage. It is working well - Battery Life is good

Hubby has it as an upgrade to a samsung s mini so a huge improvement.

He works as a welder so it gets a bit of abuse.

It has fallen a couple of times and has been ok.

We got some screen protectors as there is a risk of sparks so that is definitely a help as there are marks on the screen already.

The screen in very responsive and very sensitive.

Camera is good - Any photos that have been taken are grand.

Good sized screen.

No problems with the speaker or anything like that.

I bought from Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ulefone-ARMOR-Mobile-Phone-4-7-inch-HD-1280x720-MTK6753-Octa-Core-Android-6-0-3GB/32770061139.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.lksp19

from China, via parcel motel, no customs