Funny you posted this Adrian.

I was the first one in my family and even before many of my friends, to get a smart phone. I got a HTC Eris back in 2010 and liked it, but it was so laggy and glitchy. I suffered through once it was rooted and researched phones. I ended up with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. It appeared to be a great phone. One year into it, the charging port went (June 2013). They replaced it. A drop of water got on it a month later and it somehow seeped through my highly protective case and fried it. I have since switched, after reading many reviews, to the Casio Gzone and love it. I bought it for 80 bucks off amazon with all the accessories and put it in a verizon case. I cut my bill nearly in half and havent looked back. The phones are still glitchy and people kid themselves. A Day for battery?!?! F that, I'm happy I'm back to 3-4 days sometime a week depending on useage. A tablet will replace the functions I liked about a smartphone and my phone is what is should be, a phone. Shortly after, my brother-despite making fun of me at first, switched to the same phone.

For me to ever get a smartphone again, there needs to be a major revolution in smartphone batteries and they need to be so durable. My phone was run over with a VW by an independent tester. It's water, drop, shock etc proof.

 

I would recommend the S4 or Razr Max.

I have the OtterBox Defender case on an S3. I removed the screen protector that is built into the case and applied a screen protector directly to the phone. With the OtterBox its pretty much indestructible and an awesome phone!

 

I've never had one of the popular phones.

I use a LG F3 Optimus. It's not a perfect smart phone. My biggest issue is that you can't see the screen well in direct sunlight. Other than that it works well for most of what I use it for. The best feature to me is that I can go two, three days between charges. It's got touch screen only, which I resisted for a long time. I realized that speech to text work well for most things that you'd type for. This phone isn't one of the most durable, but I keep it holstered except when in use. I treat it like an expensive device. Nope, it's not like a mini wide screen tv, like many of the popular phones. It's a screen that works well for what you might use a phone for, but I wouldn't want to watch movies on it.

There are many cool phones to choose from. Mine isn't near the top of cool phones, but it's cheaper than the popular ones. It works well if you use it for phone calls, text messaging and general organization.

 

I'm the last one in the avionics shop without a googlie phone, and I'll switch to a jitterbug old people phone if verizon ever stops supporting a flip phone.

Adrianspeeder

 

I don't think i'd like the added thickness of the phone case/cover which is why I was leaning towards the Active over the standard S4

 

The Active is a good phone, but it's not as rugged as you may think. The ports have to be properly sealed for it to be water-resistant. If you don't want to put it in a case, get the Active.

I don't know who your carrier is and how high end a phone you want, but here's one that's very rugged and still has a keypad:

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/dev...ain-black.html

 

I just got the droid maxx and it is awesome and the battery lasts forever even with me using it constantly. I can listen to Pandora all day at work for 2 days without charging.

 

Not sure what provider you have but verizon has the casio commando that is suppose to be very rugged. Know a few oil field guys that have dropped their's from pretty high distances and they survived with no damage.

Otherwise id go with the s3/s4 or the note.

Dont blame you on the iphone, i hate mine and in 4 more months trading it for a s4

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/d...ContractTerm=2

 

I have a Razor Max. It is a very good phone, but I think the S4 edges it out by a small lead. Happy Hunting!

 

Alright. I am a big phone nerd, as I do a lot of Android development type stuff (although I don't do nearly as much any more) such as custom ROMs, kernels, themes, etc (you probably have no idea what I am talking about).

My recommendation would be the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, Samsung Note 3, or the MOTOX. There are several others that are great as well, but these would be my top picks at this point. I personally have the Galaxy S4, but the HTC One and MOTOX are badass. If you don't mind something really big the Note 3 is awesome.

By the way, props to you for not wanting an iPhone. As far as hardware goes they are way behind the Android and PC world. They do present their products well though. Other than that I wouldn't touch Apple ever. Overpriced and way behind the technology curve (they do this on purpose though). Apple really dumbs down their software as well, which is great if your a little retarded when it comes to technology, but to me it is very boring and monotonous.

 

Love this post!!!

 

My mom's got an S3 and the sister has an S4, both have been pretty good and I like them. Probably the best alternative to an iPhone. While I agree with CC in general, especially about withholding more advanced technology, I consider all the android, and microsoft, platforms unreliable. Apple stuff, from computers to phones, work the way they're supposed to, with exception of some times when they first come out. I hate how a lot of the other phones get weird problems, including both Galaxy's in the family. But this is all an opinion. I know plenty of people that went to a Galaxy or another from an iPhone and went right back after a month, but know plenty that went non-Apple and never looked back. It'll take a LOT to get me away from Apple, especially because of the "community" around the iPhone and its chain to iTunes. Way too convenient having all my music go straight to the phone without messing around with a bunch of illegal downloading crap. Call me a sucker if you will, but it's far too convenient.

I don't know what the hell you guys, and the rest of the world, do with your phones though. I've only broken one phone ever. I had a Sidekick 3 for probably 3 1/2 years, had something after that (jeez, can't remember) for a long time, and have had my iPhone 4 for over a year and a half and have dropped it maybe 4 times. I don't get a new one till the old one craps out and I'm forced to get a new one.

 

My stepdaughter, son in law, and 3 of the 4 grandkids have iPhones. My oldest grandson and I have Androids (I have an Atrix 2 and he has an Atrix HD). We are all on AT&T. We are always giving each other crap. My sister got rid of her original Droid and got an iPhone. She has Verizon.

I'm thinking about upgrading, and right now my 1st choice is a S4.

 

I don't download stuff, just a few apps such as f150online. My iPhone has been great for work, does everything I need. More important than the phone is the carrier, around here. Had AT&T and switched to Verizon. Verizon kicks AT&Ts butt.

Oh, I do use the phone for an Internet hot spot and that is fantastic.

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup

 

I got rid of the Verizon $100.00+ fees 6 months ago and went to Walmart and signed up for their phone service. It is $45.00 a month and has unlimited talk, text, internet. The phone is a Samsung but their are other choices for a phone. It works every time. I bought a larger battery from Amazon for $23.00 and it lasts for 3-4 days and I do a lot of data..........The carrier is Verizon but it is a deal Walmart made through them. Yes, it is a smartphone.