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Recommendation for a phone to use in the mountains

Original Post
Alexander Gorobets · · Redmond, WA · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 35

Hi,
I need to replace my old phone. My requirement is a good battery life. What I am seeking of:
- 3 days without recharging in relatively cold conditions, let say below 50 WITHOUT powerbank
- From it at least one summit day close to freezing level
- From it at least one day writing a GPS track. All other days occasional use to make pictures
- No connection is needed. Can stay in airplane mode
If someone used a phone tested in EXACTLY same or worst conditions, I would like to hear recommendation. All other comments will be IGNORED.

Allen Sanderson · · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,100

Does not exist.

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 441

As Allen said, the phone you asked for doesn't exist.

That said, the phone that I have settled on is a Samsung Galaxy Flip 6.

I keep it mostly turned off when I'm in the backcountry, and only turn it on to occasionally check texts and check maps. Battery life is good for multiple days when I'm using it in this manner.  

The folding form factor makes it much more compact and small than a typical phone.

I use T-Mobile, so I have access to Star-Link satellite texting even when I'm outside of cell range.  

Camera is quite good, and it's waterproof.

There's a new version out now (Flip 7) that I'm sure is an improvement on my Flip 6.  

Daniel Campbell · · Salt Lake · Joined May 2019 · Points: 192

I think you could possibly get close with extreme battery saver, allowing only a handful of apps.

You'd have to keep it close to your body to keep temp up, and maybe only get 8-10 hours of GPS, but otherwise very minimal use you could maybe get there. My old pixel 5 only drops 10% or so in 24h with extreme battery saver. No GPS or freezing temps though 

Daniel M · · DC area · Joined Aug 2021 · Points: 0

Get a smart watch to record the GPS track and have it sync to the phone.

Alexander Gorobets · · Redmond, WA · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 35

I am sorry, you are all wrong.
My Huawei Mate 10 did exactly what I described.
The screen cracked, I need to replace it.

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 441
Alexander Gorobetswrote:

I am sorry, you are all wrong.
My Huawei Mate 10 did exactly what I described.
The screen cracked, I need to replace it.

So, why post your question if you already know the answer?  

Matt N · · CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 476
Alexander Gorobetswrote:

I am sorry, you are all wrong.
My Huawei Mate 10 did exactly what I described.
The screen cracked, I need to replace it.

Ignore everyone else and talk to yourself.

Mark P · · Washington · Joined Jul 2019 · Points: 1

Various tracking apps is very different amounts of power as well as various levels of frequency of recording points. Using all trails, my pixel 8 typically uses that 5% battery per hour when recording GPS tracks in airplane mode. In extreme airplane mode I think it uses less than 15% per day. With occasional map and photo usage. So depending on whether you mean by day ( 24 hours  or just 8 hours) of recording, this might meet your needs. I usually keep my phone in an inside pocket, so I haven't noticed extreme differences in battery duration in close to freezing weather.

I do hike with a small battery pack since it can be relatively easy to accidentally either leave the screen on when I put it back in my pocket, or forget to switch to airplane mode.

Ken Tubbs · · Eugene, OR · Joined Sep 2018 · Points: 1
Alexander Gorobetswrote:

I am sorry, you are all wrong.
My Huawei Mate 10 did exactly what I described.
The screen cracked, I need to replace it.

Screens can be replaced on most phones. In my area it's $100 for regular glass or $150 for Gorilla glass.

amarius · · Nowhere, OK · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 20

Having a freer minute decided to do internet based research, also known as "google for stuff"
Can you believe that you could get a fully featured Android phone with 33000mAh battery?
Here is link to manufacturer's site - https://oukitel.com/products/oukitel-wp100-5g
Apparently, this is not vaporware - https://www.techradar.com/pro/this-swiss-army-knife-of-rugged-phones-has-the-largest-battery-ive-seen-on-a-mobile-device-and-the-built-in-projector-is-cool-too
And, according to this youtube video, it is, well, something different!
Same company sells other models with large batteries

Milan Damjanac · · Seattle/Bay Area · Joined May 2025 · Points: 0
amariuswrote:

Having a freer minute decided to do internet based research, also known as "google for stuff"
Can you believe that you could get a fully featured Android phone with 33000mAh battery?
Here is link to manufacturer's site - https://oukitel.com/products/oukitel-wp100-5g
Apparently, this is not vaporware - https://www.techradar.com/pro/this-swiss-army-knife-of-rugged-phones-has-the-largest-battery-ive-seen-on-a-mobile-device-and-the-built-in-projector-is-cool-too
And, according to this youtube video, it is, well, something different!
Same company sells other models with large batteries

This is perfect! You don't even have to print out the topo, you can just use the built in projector to cast it right onto the face of the climb.

ian watson · · Sandia park, NM · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 295

I am just here to get IGNORED..........

Cherokee Nunes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 0

Ignore UNCHAINED   

Alexander Gorobets · · Redmond, WA · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 35

Mark P - Various tracking apps is very different amounts of power - very true, I used Gaia before, but switched to CalTopo. Maybe it consumes more, I don't know.
Ken Tubbs - Screens can be replaced on most phones Yes. Maybe I will just replace screen on my old phone,
Kai Larson - why post your question if you already know the answer The phone is old. I thought maybe I can have a new one, but want as good battery as I used to have.
Milan Damjanac - Thank you for the link. With 867 g Oukitel WP100 Titan is a bit heavy.
Daniel M - Get smart watch - I want to have bigger screen to look at the map. Also - pictures.

Daniel Campbell · · Salt Lake · Joined May 2019 · Points: 192

I agree smartwatch is the way. My Garmin Fenix has a pretty good map on it and then you can use a cheap phone on battery saver for pics

Matt N · · CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 476

Instead you can simply carry 3oz more battery and use whatever phone you want.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/1m3qch0/another_deep_dive_into_smaller_power_banks/ 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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