Why can't rugged phone manufacturers get it right?

[chrisjk]

One of the great aspects of smartphones and Android based phones in particular, is the way in which hardware and apps can be mixed and matched to suit so many people’s requirements. But this flexibility comes at a price to both manufacturers and customers/consumers.

The former cannot devote money, time and attention to every use case and the latter will find that their particular interest is not as well-served as they would like.

In my own case, I use my Android based phones as navigational tools for motorcycling. I have zero interest in apps for games and huge interest in apps for navigation. Likewise the hardware is mainly of interest only to the degree it supports my motorcycle navigational needs.

As far as the hardware side is concerned, this means I value a rugged phone with ip68, sensors for anything to do with navigation and firmware to support it - the GPS must be fast and accurate also both support GPS and GLONASS. I want a screen that is bright and contrasty enough to be seen in sunshine, a large, preferably replaceable battery, ability to use a large (256MB) SD card. Everything else is subordinate to these things although of course , I still want an up-to-date version of Android, a reasonable camera and so on.

Several manufacturers are now producing rugged phones that are almost there in terms of my needs but what bugs me is how they make trade-offs that completely negate their basic premise as phones for use outdoors. Hardly any rugged phone has a screen bright enough to be seen in sunlight! Also, some rugged phones have GPSs which are too accurate or slow to respond and that makes them near useless as navigation devices. What use is a giant battery that lasts two days if I can't see the screen?

I value those reviews that pickup on details like these and at present I rate the DeviceSpecifications site highly for their latest reviews that cover the screens very well - although they still need to improve GPS testing/reviewing.

 

[anon(238680)]

Unless you buy equipment dedicated to a purpose, Garmin, basic phone, camera, then you have to accept compromises as there are lots of people using these and they all want what they want, not what you want. Such is reality.

 

[chrisjk]

Of course I realise that but I value what a phone can do, way above what a dedicated Garmin can do - I have had plenty of those. I accept compromise, I just feel that the rugged phone makers have made entirely the wrong choices in the way they have compromised.

For example, what sort of user needs the new Oukitel K10000 Max (very rugged, giant battery and a screen you can't really use outdoors). Maybe someone who wants to video tropical fish in an aquarium?

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Wouldn't the Galaxy S active fit your needs? Or is the display on those dim compared to the regular S series?

 

[belodion]

I know what you mean.
Also, you could almost omit the word 'rugged' from your question. Time and again we see manufacturers just not quite getting it right, not through inability to do so, but for other, baffling reasons. For example, sharp palm-digging corners that make a phone unpleasantly uncomfortable to use - why? You want to buy it because it's right for you in all respects, but the corners make it virtually unusable. I'm thinking of a particular phone here, which I'll now have to bypass for such an absurdly small reason.

 

[kramer5150]

Planned obsolescence.

The simple answer (or at least part of it) is that they WANT us to replace the device every ~18 months. Thats how they make $$$. Even the rugged designers know if they make the perfect device, there will not be any incentive for the consumer to replace it.

 

[chrisjk]

Planned obsolescence may well be part of the answer but I suspect a larger part is that it is marketing departments who determine the key characteristics that the product should have and don't care that other aspects are compromised to achieve their goals. But you are right - if one of the slew of new rugged phones satisfied me now, I doubt I would ever feel the need to change it.
@L0n3N1nja the Galaxy Active series might fit the bill but I live in the UK and they are not available here, even via the grey importers. Also they are a lot more expensive than the new rugged phones from China.

 

[Inders99]

Unless you buy equipment dedicated to a purpose, Garmin, basic phone, camera, then you have to accept compromises as there are lots of people using these and they all want what they want, not what you want. Such is reality.

Not so fast...phones are now ubiquitous and no longer an optional purchase for most, a wide spectrum of phones should be available. As such I agree with the OP in that not everyone sits around in urban protected settings. I spend much of my time outdoors also and would like to see what the OP states, I'm not alone in my sentiments either. The fact that manufacturers make phones that can't survive drops or moderate abuse is wrong, shiny slabs of glass don't interest me and I'm relegated to shopping for cases.

 

[thefriz151]

I mountain bike and find that a std Samsung phone in a life proof case works for me. My phone travels attached to my handlebars as I also find the need to access my phone often.

 

[chrisjk]

I have tried protective cases and don't like them. I probably seem very picky but I am sticking to my original point - why compromise (actually, completely screw up) an otherwise excellent phone by totally rendering its key premise, USP, or whatever, worthless. It would be akin to selling a house with lots of bedrooms, bathrooms and whatnot at a great price -
but without a roof, or perhaps it has a roof but no bathroom.

 

[anon(238680)]

The fact that manufacturers make phones that can't survive drops or moderate abuse is wrong

Have you looked at the Active series?

I'm not alone in my sentiments either.

And that's fine, but it also doesn't mean there's enough like demand for an entire new line of phones. Except what the Active series provides maybe.

 

[Inders99]

Active is AT&T, not the best Network for me. Run the business off the phone so coverage is primary importance.

 

[Morty2264]

I definitely see your point, OP, especially about screen brightness in rugged phones. Since they are truly outdoor tools or intended for outdoor usage, it would only make sense that they would have ideal screen lighting conditions.

 

[reinbeau]

The other problem with the Active series is they don't every get updates. My husband had the 4 Active and it had never been updated by AT&T