Looking for recommendations for an emergency contact phone when I'm out running. The smaller and more durable the better. Carrying my full Android phone has been chaffing my back in my running belt. Don't really need android, just be able to receive and make phonecalls. Does anyone have experience with the tiny chinese student/kids phones? Or should I just go a bit chunkier and get a basic Nokia?
Mini/Dialer Phone for Running
![](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/u/68/255568-38.jpg?h=eb3b4c00)
Comments
I'm in the Garmin ecosystem, but yeah it's a good use case for a smart watch I guess
Put it on your other wrist.
Cellar smartwatch that lets you use your phone sim as a second esim in it. It's like having two phones, kinda.
There are lots of budget 3" Android phones on Aliexpress but you'll need to watch out for their 4G compatibility with Australian LTE bands. They are usually running very old version of Android on an equally old SoC which can be quite frustrating to use. There are also more expensive mini phones such as Unihertz Jelly Star (Helio G99, 8GB RAM 256GB storage, 3" display 116g).
Alternatively get a cheap running/hydration vest and put your larger phone in the backpack or in the front chest pocket. Or use running shorts with thigh pocket in the liner — that's the one I use. The phone sits in the pocket quite tightly so doesn't chafe when you run.
thigh pocket
Is that a 6 inch phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Jelly Star
I’d buy it just for the model name haha
Is that a 0.6 inch phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Fixed to reflect Mrs Gun’s wording
Pocket is on the lateral side of the liner / compression shorts. If it's on the anterior side you would have created a new definition of "runner's high".
- 1 for this phone. Its small , lightweight and has a strong build . I have popped in an amaysim $10 pay as you go Sim card. Total cost $9 for phone + $10 sim=$19
Cheers yeah this is much more Ozbargain than dropping $500 on a smart watch that duplicates most of the features I already have
Alternatively, get a running belt and carry your regular phone without bouncing. Bonus point: you can also bring soft flask.
Yeah tried that for a 22km run on the weekend and the chaffing was not fun. Need to tweak it or try thigh pocket I think
I used to have a cheap running belt from Kmart and had similar issues. Try out Naked Running Band or Compressport Free Belt if you can. I have the latter (cause it was on sale) and it has never caused any discomfort even when fully loaded.
Compression shorts with pockets are also great, but I don't use those pockets during intense runs because whatever goes in there will be a sweaty mess.
Yes the running belt that I had in mind was the Naked brand or similar shapes. Need to find the right size but once you do, it'll be perfect for long runs and no chaffing.
Phone armband thingy? Seen a lot of runners with those over the years
I had a similar problem and got a soccer shin guard sleeve with a seperate pocket for a few dollars off Aliexpress and that works perfectly.
why not use a watch?