I Keep Smashing My Phone Screen - Need a new phone

AG_ACT on 24/11/2015 - 12:43

Hi Guys

I've just smashed my 9th phone screen in less than 12 months.

(Hopefully you've stopped laughing by now). Lately, I've been using a Motorola G Dual sim (1st gen) that does pretty much everything I want it to, but a little more/expandable storage would be nice - (just smashed 2nd screen)
My backup phone was a galaxy s3 (3 phones with a total of 7 smashed screens) and smashed that too a few days earlier when I took it out of the otter box case).

I'd prefer not to go full retard with an otterbox defender case or anything… I'm hoping that someone can help me find a solution to my problem with a a phone that is either really cheap OR has a really cheap phone screen to replace or I can get insurance on. I'd like a decent res screen, and if possible something that isn't too slow, but everything else I'm flexible on.

I'm currently struggling with an iphone 5 so I'd like to stick to Android if I can.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • noyesmaybeok on 24/11/2015 - 12:54

    Smashing them how exactly? I've dropped phones onto concrete rarely (but still a few times), yet to break. Must drop them quite a lot?

    Not sure why you wouldn't get some form of sturdy case, seems easier than buying new phones, especially low-end which won't have good screens or be fast.

    • PVA on 24/11/2015 - 14:15

      you are lucky. So am I , dropped a few and never broke any.
      But the other week my son crouched down (meaning his bum was about a foot off the ground) to pick something up and his phone slipped out his pocket , fell a foot - screen broken - and broken enough that half the screen stopped working with touch.

      • noyesmaybeok on 24/11/2015 - 15:06
        +1

        I think odds are they don't break, it's only bad luck or repeated droppings in the same spot that cause issues. So to break 9 phones would need at least 30-40-50 drops type thing.

        Do you have a medical condition OP? Hard to imagine how someone 'normal' could struggle to hold a phone. If you had super weak grip or something I can see it happening (though would have a case by now!)

    • AG_ACT on 24/11/2015 - 16:02

      I used to wonder myself how people could smash screens (I laughed internally at quite a few). I've learnt now though that there is no reason why a phone screen smashes. I've had a phone drop on concrete, nothing. Then it fell literally 2cm onto carpet, and smashed to smithereens…

      I have an otterbox for my s3 but I end up not using cases that are too thick/annoying which kind of defeats the purpose. Thanks for your suggestion though.

  • rambutann on 24/11/2015 - 13:00
    +8

    By the sound of it you need to go full retard and get an otterbox.

    Or go back to a nokia 3300…

    • jenna12 on 01/12/2015 - 19:46

      Surely you mean 3310 or 3315? Come on man, it's 2015, get with the trends.

  • airzone on 24/11/2015 - 13:02
    +1

    Maybe stop dropping them? We had a guy at work who would drop his phone regularly requiring a monthly replacement.. I got sick of it and had him buy his own phone. Guess what stopped happening?

    • twocsies on 24/11/2015 - 13:09
      +3

      He stopped telling you that he broke his phone again?

      • AG_ACT on 24/11/2015 - 16:11

        LOL, that's what I'd do

        • airzone on 24/11/2015 - 20:00

          Hehe, ignorance is bliss.

  • twocsies on 24/11/2015 - 13:17
    1. Indestructible Nokia 3310, or…
    2. Purchase a more durable smartphone.

    For example, these were the most durable smartphones in May 2015. Should still be fairly current, and the bonus is that the batteries are often quite good (>3500mAh).
    http://www.phonearena.com/news/These-are-the-best-rugged-mos…

    • Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3
    • Kyocera DuraForce
    • Samsung Galaxy S6 Active

    (The Samsung Galaxy S6 Active survives a drop from roughly 12 feet on tile floor, an underwater stress test, as well as a "hydrophobic waterproof test on screen." Based on these videos, Samsung's latest rugged handset is indeed suitable for an active lifestyle that might involve an occasional splash or drop.) http://www.techtimes.com/articles/60524/20150616/samsung-gal…

    Tom's Guide shows the S6 Active survive some tests, such as the Stair Drop Test, the Rage Smack. Eventually the screen cracked, only after being bashed angrily several times against a stair banister with excessive force. http://www.tomsguide.com/us/samsung-galaxy-s6-active,review-…

    Or go for the Droid Turbo 2 with "shatterproof" display. The plastic screen won't break like glass will, even more durable than Gorilla Glass 4 in terms of breaking, but doesn't have quite so good of image quality. In your case I think it might be worth it.
    http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/10/hands-on-with-verizon…

  • Luminary on 24/11/2015 - 13:22

    Perhaps invest in a bumper case and a glass screen protector? I've see the glass screen protectors save many phone screens.

    • AG_ACT on 24/11/2015 - 16:13

      Have had a glass screen protector on 5 of the 9 smashed screens. Glass screen protector was 100% intact and unscratched every time. The LCD died internally.

  • supnigs super skids on 24/11/2015 - 13:24
    +1

    You would need a full retard case - sorry, glass screen protectors also help as well if you haven't tried that before. What I use is that and a,so an uag case. Accidentally dropped my iPhone from a roof and survived.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/11/2015 - 13:45

    I've literally broken every single phone I've owned. 2 months ago I took 3 iPhones to be fixed, 1 was mine (I broke), 1 was my sisters (she broke) and 1 was my boyfriends spare (I broke) and as of today only my phone hasn't got a cracked screen LOL. He got a new iPhone 6 Plus and got one of those expensive cases that come with a thick protective glass and I somehow cracked the glass that comes with the case (but the phone screen is fine, thankfully). My iPad mini has a cracked screen and so does my laptop LOL. I'm the worst hahaha. Sorry no advice just thought I'd share my experience with you.

    • stargalaxy on 24/11/2015 - 14:09

      I am completely the opposite, never have a cracked screen on my phones, have maybe 20 smart phones todate. Did drop a few of them a few times but none have a cracked screen, have dents here and there. All have cases and screen protector though.

      • noyesmaybeok on 24/11/2015 - 15:08

        Quantity doesn't change the chance of breaking, still the same length of time

  • Randxyz123 on 24/11/2015 - 14:11

    I'd prefer not to go full retard with an otterbox defender case or anything…

    That ship has sailed!! LOL

    Seriously get a decent case and a decent screen protector as in a glass one they are around $40 but do the job. Those ones from eBay that are $5 are horrible.

    Maybe a galaxy S6 active?

  • singlemalt72 on 24/11/2015 - 15:15

    As field worker who works in urban, regional and isolated environments, on tools and heavy machinery and who is rather rough with his phones; I find it unbelievable that someone is that clumsy to break so many phones.

    Jesus, I take mine motorcycling, mountain biking, hiking, it's with me 100% of the time at work.

    Do you know how many screens I have broken in the last 10 years?

    None!

    I have drowned 2 (resurrected with the bag of rice trick) - replaced a few screens due to scratching (personal choice, I like a scratch-free view - they were still fine for use).

    Phones
    Mixture of 1 iPhone, 3 Samsung Galaxy's, a Garmin A10, a few nokias and a motorola.

    • AG_ACT on 24/11/2015 - 16:25

      In my defence, I've been using phones for the last 15 years or so, and this is the only year where I've started smashing them… I'm not sure what it is..

      I have noticed that the original screen is a lot more durable than a replaced one. Any suggestions on phones?

  • iridiumstem on 24/11/2015 - 16:22

    I think there was a motorola phone that claims that the screen is shatterproof, I think it was called Droid Turbo 2. Maybe look into that?

  • AG_ACT on 24/11/2015 - 16:28

    Seems like the consensus is Droid 2 or a s6 Active. Anyone have any other suggestions?

    • twocsies on 24/11/2015 - 17:01

      Surrvived 70 drops onto concrete… but "Nice job, Motorola. Sadly, the Droid 2 Turbo is a CDMA-only handset built for Verizon in the US. Translation: we won’t see it in Australia. Hopefully this screen tech makes it onto the next model!"
      http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/11/we-dropped-the-droid-turbo…

      Edit: But someone in the comments suggested: "to give some good news to hopeful Australian buyers: there's a 3G/LTE version called the Moto X Force that misses out on the Droid and Verizon branding, but still has the big battery and shatterproof screen."

      Price: "There's no pricing available for Australia yet, but the UK prices roughly convert to AU$1,075 and AU$1,155 respectively." http://www.cnet.com/au/products/motorola-moto-x-force/

  • try2bhelpful on 24/11/2015 - 22:30

    You might want to consider something like this one.

    http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/10/hands-on-telstra-tough-max…

    Probably a pretty ordinary phone but it might be what you need.

    Personally I would look at the Lifeproof case - people swear by them, or at them dependent on any issues they experience but they are better looking than the Otterbox.

  • AG_ACT on 25/11/2015 - 09:55

    Thank you guys for all of your replies. I do really appreciate your recommendations, but I feel I may have missed a crucial piece of information.

    I'd like to spend less than $300 on the total solution (whether that be $200 for the device + $100 for the case, etc)

  • [Deactivated] on 26/11/2015 - 15:56

    If you're happy with the Moto G, Amazon have the 1st Gen Moto G 4G (XT1045) for $100.44 USD (~$139 AUD) delivered.

    It's single SIM with 8GB storage and a microSD slot.

    The 4G frequencies it supports are useless in Australia but it'll work on all of the Australian 3G networks.

    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0NRZSW/

    • AG_ACT on 27/11/2015 - 10:55

      Thanks, yeah, I was happy with it, but mainly because it was dual sim :)

  • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 19:45

    What about a Samsung Galaxy (S4, S5) Active? Or a Telstra Dave

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