Would the RAZR M be a good phone for a (construction) contractor?

[TheyCallMeBT]

Hey all. My dad is in contruction (mostly home repair, remodeling, and new home builds). He's been using a Casio G'zone for a while and it's just gotten to the point that he's outgrown it. It was his first smartphone, and is great at being rugged for the kind of environment he's in every day, but lately, performance-wise-- it isn't up to par. Just trying to load pictures that he's taken of job sites to show potential clients can be a problem for the phone. So basically, I'm trying to get him to go with a modern phone with good specs.

I know that the RAZR line has the kevlar backing and gorilla glass. I'm not sure if it's rated for water resistance. But I'm thinking that the RAZR M with an Otterbox would work out for him. I know it's not out yet, but I would expect it to be within a few weeks.

So the main things I'm concerned about are dust/ particles in the air, being able to take a fall from pocket height and head height (or even more would be great), water resistant enough that sweat from holding it to his face won't affect it, maybe some extra water resistance past sweat (rain?). And he has somewhat large hands (he's 6'2"), so it should be something he can hold on to. But I think the Otterbox would more than take care of that.

He always uses either a pouch on his belt or a clip belt holster, which I know the Otterbox cases come with.

Any insight on this would be appreciated!

 

[AntimonyER]

Well, my initial thought on this phone, with the minimal bezel on the sides, it will be less resistant to falls. A defender case might be good enough I suppose. I am thinking that the plastic nanocoating that prevents water, will also do well in preventing dust.

ALso the RAZR M is releasing tomorrow, in case you wanted to know.

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

Now that the phone has been out for a little while, and I'm considering getting this phone for my dad, I wanted to pose the question again. Does anyone have any experiences of how durable the phone is?

 

[RicKaysen]

Personally, I couldn't live without a smartphone anymore, but someone working in construction and taking it to jobsites....I dunno. I have friends who do remodeling and I see the condition of their phones...makes me shudder to see how trashed they get. A thin film of Kevlar isn't going to help...it's a cosmetic treatment. Gorilla glass is only resistant to scratching...up to a point. It's still glass. Don't let the marketing department convince you this phone is that rugged. It all depends on how careful someone is I suppose.

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

Well it'll definitely be in an Otterbox case. I checked, and they make them for this phone. Would the Razr MAXX line be any more rugged than the M?

 

[RicKaysen]

Had the Maxx before i got the M...wouldn't want to drop either one. The last phone I could fling around without worrying about it was an old Star Tac. Smartphones are delicate devices. There isn't one on the market I would consider "rugged".

 

[AntimonyER]

Had the Maxx before i got the M...wouldn't want to drop either one. The last phone I could fling around without worrying about it was an old Star Tac. Smartphones are delicate devices. There isn't one on the market I would consider "rugged".

The Gzone Commando was pretty rugged, but don't know if you can get that one anywhere. A defender case is probably the best you can do, and just carry insurance.

 

[bmetelsky]

The Gzone Commando was pretty rugged, but don't know if you can get that one anywhere. A defender case is probably the best you can do, and just carry insurance.

I believe you can still order this phone on the Verizon website. I've seen it before and it definitely looks rugged.

 

[TheyCallMeBT]

Lol. I know, that's what he currently has. The Casio. It is definitely rugged and would get by fine with being dropped, but it has gotten too slow and troublesome. That's why I want to get him something more up to date. I don't think I'd really even recommend it now. And I doubt there will be any updated successor any time soon, which is a shame. Yup, I think I'll get him to look at the M and if he likes it, be sure to get the Otterbox and insurance. Thanks for the help, guys.