The construction site offers numerous dangers, and not just to workers who climb five stories into the air. Your smartphone keeps you connected with vendors, employees, clients, and other key personnel, and allows you to work remotely. If it breaks when you accidentally drop in on a slab or stops working due to dust exposure, however, it becomes nothing more than an expensive paper weight. So which smartphones can handle the contractor lifestyle?
1. Google Nexus
The Google Nexus can sustain considerable abuse and it doesn’t cost much to replace.
Often compared to the Apple iPhone line, the Google Nexus offers a larger user interface and a surprising amount of durability. Android Authority reports that its screen shattered during the site’s third drop test, but remained functional despite the damage.
At a fraction of the cost of an iPhone, the Google Nexus makes a smart investment for contractors. It’s jam-packed with helpful features, including a 13-megapixel camera that allows you to take crystal clear photos of your work without dragging around a heavy DSLR.
2. Kyocera Brigadier
About.com’s construction expert Juan Rodriguez recommends the rugged Kyocera Brigadier. This smartphone features precise engineering that allows it to endure total submersion in water for up to half an hour. It’s also dust-, shock-, and vibration-resistant, which makes it the ideal companion on the job site.
The intuitive user interface is also a plus for busy contractors who want to navigate their phone’s features as quickly as possible. It’s also smaller than many of the smartphones on the market today, so if you like to slip your device into your pocket while you tour a new property, this one should suffice.
3. Samsung Galaxy S5 Active
The available 16 GB of memory make the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active a worthy investment for contractors who take lots of photographs and send documents electronically. You can also expand the storage with a micro SD card. In addition to its capacity, the S5 also features rugged construction that resists damage from dust, shock, and water.
If you get caught in the rain or stumble into a dust storm on the job site, the S5 won’t give out on you just as you’re about to send an important text. It also has 2 GB of RAM for faster processing than most modern smartphones.
4. Motorola Droid Turbo
If you’re looking for a reliable phone with excellent weather resistance, the Motorola Droid Turbo fits the bill. It supports the contractor lifestyle with a DuPont Kevlar fiber -reinforced body and a reliably scratch-resistant glass face. The 2.7 GHz speed allows you to conduct your business with minimal delay, and its 48 hours of usage time allow you to stay connected even when you forget the portable charger for your truck.
Choosing a smartphone is always a complicated process, but especially when you work at construction sites on a daily basis. You don’t want to go through 10 phones a year just because you can’t control your work environment, so go with a rugged, durable phone that won’t let you down.
You can also keep up with your continuing education courses from your connected device. Browse courses by state and get your work completed at your own pace.