In the world of smartphones, durability is a major concern for many consumers. Phones are expensive investments that people rely on every day. A broken screen or malfunctioning device can be a huge hassle. This has led to demand for phones that can withstand accidental drops, spills, and other mishaps. But is there really such a thing as an unbreakable phone?
What factors make a phone prone to damage?
First, it helps to understand what makes typical smartphones so vulnerable to damage. There are a few key factors at play:
- Glass screens – Most phones have screens made of glass, which can easily crack or shatter when dropped.
- Exposed ports – Charging ports, headphone jacks, and other openings can allow water and debris to get inside the phone, leading to corrosion or short circuiting.
- Buttons – Physical buttons can break off if pressure is applied the wrong way.
- Thin design – To make phones lightweight and slim, manufacturers use thin materials that dent, scratch or bend more easily.
- Lack of waterproofing – Many phones lack sufficient water sealing to withstand submersion in water or being washed.
These vulnerabilities make most smartphones susceptible to damage from accidental drops, liquid spills, scratches, dust, and other impacts that occur through normal wear and tear. Only a very rugged phone design can overcome these weaknesses.
What features make a phone more durable?
For a phone to be considered truly unbreakable, it needs to be designed from the ground up to prevent damage through special materials and design features. Some key durability factors include:
- Shatterproof display – Using a flexible plastic polymer screen rather than glass prevents cracking and shattering.
- Water and dust resistance – Sealing ports, buttons, and connections makes the phone impervious to water, dust and debris intrusion.
- Drop protection – Internal shock absorbing materials and bumpers help protect the phone when dropped.
- Scratchproof exterior – Screens and cases made of scratch-resistant materials prevent surface scuffs and scratches.
- Reinforced frame – An internal frame made of titanium or aluminum alloy prevents the phone from being crushed or bent.
- Button protection – Buttons are recessed or otherwise protected against breaking off.
A phone designed with multiple levels of durability like this can survive most common hazards and mishandling much better than a typical smartphone.
What are some examples of damage-resistant phone brands and models?
There are a handful of phone manufacturers that focus on building ultra-rugged devices. Some examples include:
- Sonim XP8 – Featured on Bear Grylls’ survival show Man vs. Wild, it is highly waterproof, dustproof and built to military specifications to resist shock, drops, vibration and more.
- Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 – Kyocera phones are known for durability. This model is scratchproof, waterproof up to 2 meters for 30 minutes, and Military Standard 810G certified to handle dust, shock and extremes.
- Nokia 3310 – This redesigned classic is extremely difficult to break, albeit with more basic functions than a smartphone.
- CAT S61 – Built by tractor company Caterpillar, it is waterproof, drop-resistant, and features extra tools like a thermal camera, air quality monitor, and laser assisted distance measuring.
Rugged brands like Caterpillar, Sonim and Kyocera use sturdy, industrial designs optimized for outdoor use cases. While not necessarily “unbreakable”, they come far closer than standard all-glass smartphone designs.
How durable can a phone really be?
No phone is truly indestructible or unbreakable. Rugged phones still have limits. For example, the Sonim XP8 is rated to survive:
- Water submersion down to 2 meters for 30 minutes
- Drops onto concrete from 1.8 meters
- 1 ton of pressure
- Extreme temperatures from -20C to 60C
So while very impact resistant, even hardcore rugged phones can’t withstand every possible abuse. Screen shatters are rare but still possible from severe impacts. Water and dust resistance depend on all port covers being properly sealed. And no protective materials are invincible against powerful or prolonged damage.
The limits of ruggedization
There are tradeoffs to building ruggedness:
- Thicker, heavier designs required for shock protection.
- Higher costs from durability focused components.
- Reduced screen size and quality compared to all-glass displays.
- Lower processing power and internal specs, since cutting edge chips generate more heat and drain battery faster.
So increased survivability comes at the cost of bulk, aesthetics, features and performance compared to flagship phones. No design is totally unbreakable without compromises.
Should you choose a rugged phone?
Rugged phones offer much better odds of surviving life’s bumps and spills. Key advantages include:
- Great for outdoor jobs, sports, travel and high risk environments.
- Saves money by avoiding costly repairs or replacements.
- Keeps your data safe if the phone gets wet or dropped.
- Built to last 3-5 years, much longer than the average phone’s lifespan.
Consider choosing a rugged phone if your lifestyle or job involves:
- Working outside in harsh conditions (construction, landscaping, maintenance, military).
- Spending time in and around water (boating, fishing, poolside).
- Travel to remote regions where repairs aren’t accessible.
- Dangerous work where phones get dropped, crushed or soaked.
- Sports and outdoor adventures where phones take a beating (hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding).
However, there are some downsides to weigh:
- More expensive upfront cost.
- Bulkier size and heavier weight.
- Underpowered specs compared to flagship phones.
- Less stylish designs.
Rugged phones also don’t offer much advantage for people whose phones stay protected most of the time. So consider your habits and needs.
Are shatterproof screens the future?
Some experts believe flexible displays will eventually replace breakable glass even on mainstream phones. Plastic polymers offer reliability and durability manufacturers can’t ignore.
Samsung and Motorola have already introduced foldable phones featuring bendable screens. While imperfect so far, the technology keeps improving. Apple has also filed patents suggesting flexible display plans.
Widespread use of flex screens would allow manufacturers to retain sleek, attractive designs without the fragility tradeoff. This could make ruggedness and styling less mutually exclusive.
When will shatterproof screens go mainstream?
True foldable or rollable phones still have some kinks to iron out before going big. Estimates vary on when flex screens become widespread:
- 2023-2025 – Foldables rapidly improve and drop below $1000 price, but flat glass remains dominant on flagships.
- 2026-2028 – Flexible displays appear on most mid-range phones as costs come down.
- 2029-onward – Curved screens reach parity on both price and performance, replacing rigid screens on majority of phones.
So for now, glass remains king. But unbreakable phone designs seem inevitable within the next decade.
The future of unbreakable phones
Until mainstream phones adopt shatterproof displays, rugged models are the best bet for surviving life’s bumps and spills.
Ongoing advances in material science will enable even more durable phones.
Some innovations in development include:
- Self-healing polymers that regenerate surface scratches and dents.
- Graphene and nanomaterials for lighter, stronger chassis.
- Metal alloys exceeding titanium strength-to-weight qualities.
- Quantum tunneling substrates that dissipate kinetic energy from impacts.
- Electroactive polymers that change shape or stiffness to dampen shock forces.
These emerging technologies could lead to near-indestructible phone designs in the not-too-distant future.
| Phone Model | Durability Features |
|---|---|
| Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 | Military Standard 810G rating for shock, vibration, temperature, blowing rain, dust, low pressure/high altitude, solar radiation, salt fog, humidity, explosive atmosphere. |
| Sonim XP8 | Withstands 2 meter drops, 2 meter depth water submersion for 30 minutes, 1 tonne of pressure. Designed to military spec MIL-STD-810G. |
| CAT S61 | IP68 and IP69 rated for dust and water protection. Military Spec 810G compliant. Withstood repeated drop tests onto steel from 1.8 meters. |
In conclusion, truly “unbreakable” phones don’t exist yet, but rugged models like these come close. For people demanding maximum durability from their phones, rugged designs offer the most reliable and long-lasting experience currently available.