After a $200 China Phone, Withstand Being Dropped

Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 18:41
Last edited 29/07/2017 - 18:43

Hey there fellow Ozbargainer's :)

I'm in the market (no not that one ;) for a new phone.
I had a Xiaomi Redmi note 4X, it fitted my needs perfectly, but unfortunately my subconscious loves to make me drop my phone a lot, so I'm after something with at least Gorilla glass 3.

The only China droids that I know of are Xiaomi and LeEco (obviously Huawei ZTE Oppo etc) I don't know, have any experience with other brands and I'm after something that will last more than a few months.

My requirements are:

Budget around $200.
Gorilla glass 3 and up.
5.5 inch screen Full HD screen, may settle for HD if nothing else.
3.5 audio mini jack, none negotiable!
Custom ROM support an absolute must have, LineageOS ResurrectionRemix.
Good battery life (I've gotten used to RN4X.
Performance about on pair with the RN4X.

Well thanks for reading this far, any help info is much appreciated :).

Mobile

Comments

  • fruit on 29/07/2017 - 18:48
    +1

    Dropped from what height on to to what?

    • Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 18:50

      Thanks for the fact reply :).
      Standing on to tiled floor.

      • Richardc on 29/07/2017 - 18:54
        +2

        get a better case

        • Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 18:57

          Thanks for the fast reply :).
          Yeah I never had it in a case. Though about a case but still worried if I get a "tiny" crack, as it'll bother me till I'm insane.

        • enzioFirenze on 29/07/2017 - 19:12
          +2

          @Wystri Warrick: case and tempered glass screen, you are set for any number of drops

  • Master Bates on 29/07/2017 - 19:13
    +1

    Have a look at AGM, they seem to have some rugged Android phones; maybe the Rio will meet your requirements (except size).

    They can be bought from the usual Chinese sellers (GearBest etc.).

    • Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 19:59

      Thanks :).
      Looks like a solid phone, but I'm after something a little more elegant and higher spec.

  • Irate Monk on 29/07/2017 - 19:17
    +1

    Samsung Galaxy Note 3!
    Got 23 extra bucks? Go for it.
    Checks all the right boxes.

    • Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 20:09

      Thanks for the reply :).
      Yeah looks good, though I heard that Samsung is more difficult and buggy to flash ROM's, and I have some friends that aren't Samsung fans, Samsung is just another mobile brand to me.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2017 - 21:01
        +1

        Samsung is pretty good to use and play with.
        Sammobile houses all your samsung roms and I have flashed my note 2 and s5 multiple times with various roms and so easy to go back to what ever stock rom you want.

        And I dare say samsung handsets would be highly romed in the xda world.

  • spackbace on 29/07/2017 - 19:27
    +1

    Nokia 5110/3310

    Coz frankly you really should just learn how to not drop your phone…

    • Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 20:12

      Hahaha :).

      Yeah I do drop my phone but rarely, I'm a perfectionist I can't stand the slightest scratch lol.

  • scrimshaw on 29/07/2017 - 19:28
    +3

    Buy a case. Not just any case, one that has a lip on the front so that if your phone falls face down it won't hit the glass.

    If you want a rugged phone you could buy the slightly outdated Motorola X Force, which runs SD810 and is priced $250~290. It's impossible to crack the screen on this thing.

    • Wystri Warrick on 29/07/2017 - 20:18

      Thanks :).

      That case is a good idea.

      The Motorola looks good, pretty good specs and quite elegant.

  • Irate Monk on 29/07/2017 - 20:45
    +1

    Let's break this down.

    Here is the Samasung Galaxy Note3 phone. There was $25 off, with a code a few days back, when I bought one. None now :(
    Destroyed my dual SIM note 5 a few days back. So, got a Note 3 as replacement. Had one back in 2014, still going strong; wifey using it. After many ROM iterations by many I know, to me, this is THE phone. For whatever that is worth, removable/replaceable battery appeals a lot to some folks (this user included)
    Here is THE protective case. Built like a tank (some GPS lock issues could present, while in car, for eg. You will need to compromise something for absolute protection). Screen protector included.
    Another absolutely sexy metal protector here.

    Preserved and protected this way, this phone will still be going strong after retiring multiple replacement batteries!
    Won't that be nice, sitting on a quiet part of your table, going steady with an second SIM or as a WiFi device?

    • Wystri Warrick on 30/07/2017 - 17:51

      Thanks for you patience and help Irate Monk, it's much appreciated :)

      Hmmm the Samsung Galaxy note 3 looks really good, would you know if
      1 it's camera is better than the RN4X?
      2 which one has the faster CPU, GPU? I was planning on PS1 and Nintendo emu's.
      3 how long would the battery last for?
      4 I've heard that Samsung's are very difficult to flash custom ROM's, I really want Resurrection Remix.

      The first case looks solid, I'd definitely buy that if there was one for the RN4X.

      After many ROM iterations by many I know, to me, this is THE phone

      Sorry, do you mean custom ROM's? I've heard that Samsung ROM's are very difficult to flash and are buggy?

      Yeah I definitely love phones with replaceable batteries, otherwise it's extremely difficult to replace it (RN4X).
      I like the 5.7 screen,

  • Irate Monk on 30/07/2017 - 20:13
    +1

    Compare here, if not already done.
    Overall, the N3 checks more boxes.

    On your specifics:

    Camera (still): RN scores over N3; same MPs
    Camera (Video): a + for the N3 (1080p@60fps)
    CPU speed: +N3, and better chipset.
    CPU architecture: +RN (if bragging of core counts is what floats your boat)
    GPU: +RN
    Battery: wifey's N3 gets her through a day and half, with heavy FB (usually on battery) and Netflix [while charging; so on the battery argument, that is moot. The point here being the larger display and smaller bezels, so that one can pull off actual full length movie watching (+RN on pixel density)]. And she charges only when battery gets below 5% (dumb habit from NiMH days :)
    Custom ROM? Never heard Samsungs were difficult.

    Here is what might be a clincher and something you might not have considered:
    Though it takes a deliberate effort to accustom yourselves to using it, the real deal with the Samsung Note series is the mighty stylus and a whole world of stuff not even remotely possible with phones not such endowed. However, you gotta start consciously exploring the "note" features from the day 1, else it will remain an untapped fancy feature (Most folks with Note phones don't use it, out of sheer habit from earlier non-note devices they used). But once you start using it, you will then classify all phones into just two- those with and without pen options.

    And speaking of remote, both are among the rare phones out there which can be used as a universal remote. With IR ports. You could spend your time waiting at reception areas, like a boss, changing channels to food network at…. hmmm… maybe an obesity clinic?

    And, oh… N3 has a physical thermometer built in; an absolute rarity.

    The above features are not available even in later series Samsung Notes.

    However, +RN for the FM radio.
    Another +RN for dual SIM with LTE (N9000 version N3 is dual SIM, but only 3G)

    NFC +N3, Fingerprint +RN

    On two things you seem to be keen on:
    *Gorilla Glass 3: +N3
    Still worried? Overkill from my earlier post. Other folks will exercise a bit more caution when they see you wielding it; prepare for random strangers staring at your crotch, if this is in your jeans pocket. Load Kids mode [Samsung feature; all inappropriate content gets locked away at a single click (read: porn)] and toss it to them. Get instant brownie points for allowing them to play with (dad's) phone. Unbreakable, and water resistant to certain degree.
    *3.5 jack? So an audio aficionado? Surely you don't want to miss out AptX, another +N3?

    Apart, don't miss 802.11 ac speeds over WiFi- only on the N3. And it can use the 5GHz band too.

    And why not break the bank while you are at it?
    Treat whatever new phone you eventually decide on with a massive micro SD card. BTW, don't :) visit… AHEM… yts.ag. Which reminds me… another +N3 is to connect to TV via MHL. Movies from the earlier site you didn't visit, and also Sunny Leone looks better on TV.

    You had already pondered this micro SD deal posted by OzBragainer "hamza23"

    TL;DR, from 2013, the N3 wins over the RN and depletes your wallet at nearly thrice the original non-OZB price for all the right reasons; my two cents.

    • Wystri Warrick on 30/07/2017 - 21:06

      Haha, thanks Irate Monk you've been awesome :D

      One more question any difference between this Galaxy Now 3 and the one you posted earlier, besides having to wait a month+.

      Once again thanks for all your help and patience, have a good one :D.

      • Irate Monk on 31/07/2017 - 03:56
        +1

        No difference except for the Verizon branding.
        Same phones.

        With a protective case on, the branding won't be visible anyways.

        And that is a very nice deal you had found; better than what I posted; except for the long shipping time.
        Wish I had seen this a week ago.

    • Darron65 on 30/07/2017 - 22:05
      +1

      Dammit Irate Monk, I just ordered a RN4X. Hate reading about my mistakes.

      • Wystri Warrick on 30/07/2017 - 22:42

        Still an awesome phone, with an even more awesome battery.
        The battery is excellent for listening to a "lot" of music.

        There only let down for me is the glass, I'm a very finicky person, a slight scratch will annoy me.

        Still not sure what root I'll go down, I may just end up getting the Redmi Note 4X and a good case and hardened glass, if it cracks I'll go for a Gorilla Glass phone, the Galaxy Note 3 no doubt.

      • Irate Monk on 31/07/2017 - 04:02

        Can't return it now… can we?

  • HeWhoKnows on 30/07/2017 - 21:57

    Shop around for a used Samsung Galaxy Note 3 or Note 4

    • Irate Monk on 31/07/2017 - 04:01
      +1

      Used Note 3s in half decent shape are going for near $200 on eBay, on auctions.

      I fail to understand why folks bid such amounts when a brand new one in a sealed box can be got for just a bit more, like Wystri Warrick's posted deal above.

      • Wystri Warrick on 31/07/2017 - 05:56

        Some time ago I saw some PS Vita Wi-Fi models being bid by about $50-100 more than brand new at EBgames!
        Some people on eBay are weird :/

        • Irate Monk on 31/07/2017 - 15:36
          +1

          I think it's some kind of peculiar effect only with auctions. Compulsive bidding mindset makes people take being outbid personally, and most will up the ante to remain in contest. Something psychological. The other parties do likewise, and pretty soon, the prices go way off charts. In the end, people end up paying more for auctioned items in such situations, when similar items available as buy-it-now on eBay could actually be way cheaper.

          Got to admit I too had found my selves responding to out bids in this fashion. Used to be an online auction aficionado (Auctionblue, Evansclarke, Pickles etc.). However, when the stakes go unrealistically high, luckily I had always backed away; so no real harm done yet on Auctions :)

          Still, fact remains that even normally prudent folks sometimes go overboard with spending, when auctions are involved.

  • OpayuOnam on 31/07/2017 - 06:43

    I don't think a gorilla Glass actually helps with drops, it is more geared toward scratches. As others have said case+tempered glass is the only real solution for drops (and we'll not dropping in the first place).

    Having said that i have had a few RN4 cracking with the smallest hint of pressure to them so go figure…

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2017 - 13:43
    +1

    Huawei GR3 or GR5.

    • Wystri Warrick on 31/07/2017 - 14:41

      Thanks :), will look on to them.

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