Most Durable Cell Phone
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Moundridge, Kansas
Most Durable Cell Phone
My cell phone goes through alot of abuse and I need to find a phone that will with stand the dropping, hitting, getting cought on things, ect..... I don't like cell phone cases I just want a durable phone with a rubberized outer shell or something. All this phone needs to do is make calls fashion is not an issue. I also need to know if you can buy a phone from a different provider and have it hooked up to your plan. So if anyone has any info let me know.
Thanks,
Jeremy
Thanks,
Jeremy
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
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From: Lafayette, IN
Well, I'm a contractor and I'm on my 4th Nokia in about 9 years. I find a belt clip case to be essential for at least some minor protection, but I really don't expect my phones to last more than 2-3 years. There are a couple reasons for this: one is that the transmission technology is constantly changing, so a 2-3 year old phone is borderline obsolete anyway, and two, batteries don't typically last more than two years. For me, if I can't get a day's use out of a battery, it's done, and batteries are expensive to replace (cheap generics/clones can overheat and explode). I really beat my phones around, but, for the record, none of these Nokias have died due to abuse--all were canned due to obsolescence or dead batteries. I generally will get the $30-40 upgrade when I re-up my rate plan. I figure the free phones are the near-obsolete ones they're just trying to unload.
Jason
Jason
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: IN FRONT OF YOU
My Sanyo RL-7300 has a rubber guard around it, it's a flip phone, small enough to shove in your pocket. It's constantly being dropped pushed off the table, etc and hardly has a scratch on it. One of the few phones I could find without a camera...
Don't know if it would work with your provider, I'm with Sprint.
Don't know if it would work with your provider, I'm with Sprint.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,271
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From: Gulf Coast, FL
From what I understand your phone would have to be "unlocked". I would guess you could search for phones that are unlocked and pick one up.
I was able to do so traveling on the Far East ( Thailand, Philippines) their cell system is just as good as ours and MUCH cheaper. There you can purchase ANY phone and get the SIM chip for your choice of provider.
Ask your provider about using an "unlocked" phone and see what you can find in the line of phones.
I was able to do so traveling on the Far East ( Thailand, Philippines) their cell system is just as good as ours and MUCH cheaper. There you can purchase ANY phone and get the SIM chip for your choice of provider.
Ask your provider about using an "unlocked" phone and see what you can find in the line of phones.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,574
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From: Seattle
jjlogue3,
ebay to the rescue!<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>Here’s what you do:<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>1) Find a cell phone that you believe suits your needs. Let’s use Yeti’s Sanyo RL-7300 for an example. <o =""></o>
<o =""></o>2) Run a search on ebay for this particular phone. If it is not that old, say two or three years, you should get a good dozen hits for this model.<o =""></o>
<o ="">3)</o> Search these hits for the phone that has the same service provider you are currently with.<o =""></o>
<o ="">4) </o>Once phone is in hand (assumes you bid and got the phone), call your service provider for help reprogramming the phone.<o =""></o>
<o ="">5) </o>Bingo! You’re done.<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>I have personally done this twice for the same model of phone. It is a Motorola SC3150. It is bullet proof, durable, and here’s the most important thing: I ALREADY KNOW HOW TO USE IT!<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>Good luck.
ebay to the rescue!<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>Here’s what you do:<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>1) Find a cell phone that you believe suits your needs. Let’s use Yeti’s Sanyo RL-7300 for an example. <o =""></o>
<o =""></o>2) Run a search on ebay for this particular phone. If it is not that old, say two or three years, you should get a good dozen hits for this model.<o =""></o>
<o ="">3)</o> Search these hits for the phone that has the same service provider you are currently with.<o =""></o>
<o ="">4) </o>Once phone is in hand (assumes you bid and got the phone), call your service provider for help reprogramming the phone.<o =""></o>
<o ="">5) </o>Bingo! You’re done.<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>I have personally done this twice for the same model of phone. It is a Motorola SC3150. It is bullet proof, durable, and here’s the most important thing: I ALREADY KNOW HOW TO USE IT!<o =""></o>
<o =""></o>Good luck.
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Posting Guru
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From: Moundridge, Kansas
I currently have a nokia and it has been through some abuse like being in my pocket when I fell into a pond after that incident it took two weeks to dry out and it worked just fine it just says "GPS failure call service provider" ocassionally. I was very impressed with the NEXTEL phones but I don't think I can get them on my Alltel plan. Can I?
Jeremy
Jeremy
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Michael S. Palmer
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Joined: Oct 2003
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I have a Nokia 3390 that's almost 3 years old. Bring it on the construction site every day. Dropped it on the concrete floor a couple of times. Still has the original battery, and still works fine.
The "outer shell" is replaceable, and I've thought about getting a new one, just for looks, but I have not replaced it yet.
The "outer shell" is replaceable, and I've thought about getting a new one, just for looks, but I have not replaced it yet.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 471
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From: Michigan
I use Nextels and I know a few people now who've used and abused their phones for a long time. Dropped off a moving car, dropped in the street (that's all me!) running away from a moving car, regularly launched from my hand/purse etc onto the ground... I'd stay away from flip phones as far as durability goes though... those hinges, as you can feel, aren't the most durable things.
Still kicking!!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,061
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From: Kalispell, Mt.
I have two Nokias. A 918 and a 252C. They are not digital and they both still work as good as the day I got them several years ago, with Tracfone service. They have been dropped, bounced .... take a lickin and keep on tickin' ..so to speak. I have two different types of clip on the belt cases. Too much a pain in the drain to carry in pocket ... they are a larger model. Nokia seems to be a pretty good brand, but it's all I've ever used. Wife has a Motorola digital. It's a flip phone and too new to tell how durable it's going to be. Battery seems to hold up well.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: just outside of Phila.
Well, I can say, that I have a Samsung....and I'd be better of sending smoke signals or screaming. The microphone breaks constantly, then I'm the dork in the bar talking to people on his earpiece. I'm on my 3rd only because I'm not using my head, haven't bought the insurance for any of them, and try to make it through to the end of the contract next month.
A very good friend of mine was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal for his website on Cell Phones. I think it was in December. He is incredibly intelligent and the site has grown leaps and bounds to become an industry insider and one of the best sources out there for anything about cell phones. If you're truly interested, please PM me. I don't want to start toying with links or anything like that, but it'll be relatively easy to find if you search for it on your own.
A very good friend of mine was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal for his website on Cell Phones. I think it was in December. He is incredibly intelligent and the site has grown leaps and bounds to become an industry insider and one of the best sources out there for anything about cell phones. If you're truly interested, please PM me. I don't want to start toying with links or anything like that, but it'll be relatively easy to find if you search for it on your own.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,155
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From: Southern Louisiana
i have the cheapest nextel (motorola i 205) and i have dropped it, ran it over and in one instance dropped it in the toilet (dont ask) and it still works like the day it was new. the phine above this one (motorola i 305) is made especially for contractors and is built with a rubber coating and also built to withstand abuse. i also like the plans nextel offers. you cant beat free incoming and free radio. and free nights and weekends for outgoing calls. that makes everything free.
