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Ruggedized SGS4 and other build topics

EarlyMon

EarlyMon

The PearlyMon
VIP Member
I'd mentioned before that I prefer something rubbery over plastic or glass and decided to start a positive thread on build issues rather than post this in one of less positive threads (which, if you're like me, don't want to resurrect).

http://phandroid.com/2013/04/23/samsung-galaxy-s4-waterproof-dust-proof/

I'd pay extra to just get it built rugged as opposed to adding a case - and I'm rocking an Otterbox Defender and loving it, so that's the sort of user I am.

Anyone else digging this?

Still a rumor, but could be true given the source. :)
 
I love the idea of a waterproof phone, but i don't know if i would want it enough to have to deal with the covers on all of the ports (i ripped off the cover for the charging port on my DNA.) The Sony xperia z is dust and waterproof, but the back of the phone is still glass coated, so you still don't get any fall protection. I would love a phone with the same rubbery back as my nexus 7 though.

I would keep an eye on Motorola's next generation of phones to do something like this. Larry Page made a comment about phones not breaking when you drop them in his recent earnings conference call (i believe he was discussing what Motorola has been up to.) I'm really excited to see what their next line of phones has to offer.
 
They should do like they did with the Android powered Rugbies. I love the sheer toughness of my Rugby Smart, and my buddy is feeling the same about his Rugby Pro.
 
To be honest I'm a little confused why Sammy would go the extra mile to produce another line of the same phone (assuming here) with a rough and tough exterior. Wouldn't have been better in terms of production expenses just make a single line up of a phone with a middle ground between the "cheapy" plastic and this supposed ruggerdized one?
Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of buying a SG4 that has an exterior that reflects its internal build quality. But I'm reluctant to believe there will be all the same guts and high end spec's that we see with the current released one.
 
And that's been the problem for many of us looking for something more rugged - inferior guts.

Here's the Samsung Rugby Pro - Specs - AT&T Cell Phones SGH-I547 | Samsung Cell Phones

Here's the really rugged G'zOne Commando by Casio - Verizon Wireless Casio G'zOne Commando specs

Great phones in their own right - but not great flagship-quality phones.

From another thread, what I learned one day in Japan standing on a train platform, doing my best with an umbrella -

EarlyMon said:
Their Android catalog in Japan is huge. Shortly after people here wanted a "retinal" display, Sharp had one there already. Exact same screen size and resolution. I was told that it was top quality to boot.

They keep telling us we want thin. According to those impressed by the almost one millimeter thickness reduction in one of the new models coming, that's evidently true. In Japan, they get waterproof instead.

I was in the rain when my phone rang, of course, I didn't answer it. The Japanese standing near me looked around to see who wasn't answering. When they saw me, their faces changed to one of polite understanding and they nodded. And went back to texting and talking.

It was at that moment that I knew that we were doing it wrong.
Click to expand...
 
hearing about the ruggedized version gave me a little pause, but not much. don't know how it would look, difference in price, or if there would be any change in the feature set. i do, however, like the potential of having a phone that can withstand abuse of drops and exposure to elements without having a big bulky otterbox on it.
 
BzB said:
hearing about the ruggedized version gave me a little pause, but not much. don't know how it would look, difference in price, or if there would be any change in the feature set. i do, however, like the potential of having a phone that can withstand abuse of drops and exposure to elements without having a big bulky otterbox on it.
Click to expand...

NOTHING is going to withstand drops. One drop is not the same as any other and there is no way of ensuring a phone will withstand drops. Drops of water more likely.
 
Szadzik said:
NOTHING is going to withstand drops. One drop is not the same as any other and there is no way of ensuring a phone will withstand drops. Drops of water more likely.
Click to expand...

properly encased cell phones withstand drops everyday. not knowing what type of protection the ruggedized version has, it's difficult to assume what it can or can't withstand.

one would surmise from the term "ruggedized" that it would have at least some extra form or protection that would shrug off drops and the like better than the standard version.

i'm still interested to see how it comes out. i doubt it will change my mind, but will check it out nonetheless.
 
Aside from the screen landing on a pointy rock, some can survive rough treatment better than others. The Commando is rated to military specs for it.

CASIO G'zOne Commando

Warning - annoying music and flash website, you have to mouse around to get to the mil-spec stuff if interested.
 
You would think with all these sensors built into these "smart" phones that someone would design a way to incorporate into the bezel, some kind of flip out skeletal protection flaps. The idea is still brewing in my head, so lets see if I can elaborate.

You know how if you ever had a toy X-wing fighter? You could press a button and the wings would "X"? Something like that, that would ultimately be pivoted in the centre of the phones bezel, top and bottom, and when phone "senses" it's falling, it deploys it's "X" cage and the bezel pops out on the front and back of the phone, giving it more like a 'ball' shape (american football) so it can just bounce harmlessly.

If [] = phobe without bezel deployed, looking from the top

Then >[]< would = phone with bezel deployed upon "sensing" drop

Get it?

No me either.

I'll shut up now.
 
My last 2 nextel phones were shock water and dust proof, loved that feature. :) Too bad you couldn't do anything with the phone. :(

Ruggedized smartphones will catch on, and they'll sell. Interested in seeing if / when the flagship phones start to see it. Thats if the S4 version doesn't drop in a couple weeks. ;)
 
There are conflicting reports on the processor inside this one. I hope it's the same snapdragon 600 as the regular GS4, but it probably is dual S4 plus.
 
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