Durability tests are done for a reason. Don’t think that Zack Nelson aka JerryRigEverything is always getting paid to scratch, burn, and bend phones just to attack the OEMs. No, he does those things to inform the consumers and industry watchers which smartphones are rugged enough for everyday use. At first, we would cringe at the thought of expensive devices being destroyed but such tests and those teardown treatments also done by other groups help the public make an informed decision.
Shopping for a new gadget or phone isn’t always easy but thank heavens for the likes of Zack and other tech bloggers because they show us the realities and different possibilities. Zack doesn’t just test the cheap ones. He also checks out if those expensive phones are worth your hard-earned money.
The public needs to know which smartphones will last and are ready for rough use. Today, there are many premium but fragile-looking phones that are actually tough. They can stand the test of time and may even last for years.
Many people may change phones every a few months or years but there are some that look for products that will last them a long time. If you’re one of those people, you probably rely on Zack for information.
JerryRigEverything doesn’t test every model that comes out. We don’t even feature all but only those that we think matter. We look forward to hearing if a phone is part of his shelf of shame. Some phones are memorable while others are remarkable.
To start the new year, Zack Nelson gathered all of his phones and did a quick summary of his favorites. When it comes to durability, the budget-friendly Nokia 7 Plus is on top of the ranking for durable phones. The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 is most durable among the pricey category.
As for repairability, the Nokia 7 Plus is also the easiest to open. That’s interesting because it is also the most durable. The Nokia 6.1 follows in the teardown game but that’s somehow expected because its back isn’t glass or ceramic.
We remember the OPPO Find X getting destroyed while screens of the Huawei P20 Pro and Mate 20 Pro were cracked. Most phones survive scratch and burn tests but not those bend tests. Usually, a device fails in this area, proving how design and build must work together.
Here is a quick list of the top winners:
• Most Repairable Phone of 2018: Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 6.1
• Least Repairable Phone of 2018: iPhone XS Max
• Most Innovative Phone of 2018: Vivo Nex S Clear Edition
• Most Durable Smartphone of 2018: Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2
• Best Looking Phone from the Inside:
[1st Place] Pixel 3 Transparent Edition
[2nd place] Razor Phone 2
[3rd place] LG G7
• Most Durable Budget phone: Nokia 7 Plus
[2nd place] Xiaomi Poco F1 Phone
• Least Durable Smartphone: Oppo Find X
[2nd place] Huawei Mate 20 Pro
