Samsung changed phones by adding water resistance. It should do the same thing with MIL-STD durability
The rumored Galaxy S23 will come with a predictable folio of upgrades, including a new mobile platform, an upgraded camera, and new features. While it will certainly be a trendsetter, if Samsung worried less about spec bumps and instead focused on durability, the Galaxy S23 would be a historic phone launch. A military-grade phone with all of the looks and features of Samsung’s best would reset our expectations for every other flagship phone to come.
Samsung has made durable versions of its Galaxy S phones in the past. The Galaxy S8 Active was the last durable version of its flagship that Samsung offered, but “Active” devices were severely limited in their availability. You could only buy them in the US, and most were locked to AT&T as an exclusive.
Also, they were butt-ugly. The Galaxy S8 Active phone looks like a component that fell off a military transport truck. For some reason, Samsung and AT&T only released durable phones with exposed rivets and ugly, enlarged bumpers. When those were discontinued, durability was no longer Samsung’s priority.
That isn’t to say Samsung phones aren’t durable. Samsung uses the same strong aluminum and Gorilla Glass as everyone else. The Galaxy S8 Active, on the other hand, was tested to Military Standard 810, a series of durability benchmarks that the US Military publishes and updates regularly. The most current standard is MIL-STD 810H.
A manufacturer doesn’t have to certify a device for every difficulty the military will face. The 810H standard includes salt fog, fungus, and explosive atmosphere testing, in addition to the more normal shock, vibration, and water ingress. A phone maker can advertise specific resiliency, like testing for freezing temperatures and solar radiation.
Lenovo is offering a new phone that has been tested to MIL-STD 810H standards. The Lenovo ThinkPhone by Motorola looks and feels like any other flagship smartphone, but it is actually one of the most durable smartphones you can buy.
