ConstructionOnline Blog

Having your phone on jobsites has become a vital part of the construction industry, but how do you ensure that your phone can make it through one of the most dangerous environments for electronics? You need a tough case to keep that device safe from weather and those heart-stopping drops. So I’ve created a list of top 3 phone cases to keep your device safe, no matter the conditions out in the field.

LifeProof Frē and Nüüd

LifeProof offers 4 great options for keeping your phone safe on the jobsite. The most protective are the Frē and Nüüd series – they protect against water, snow, dirt, scratches, and drops from up to 6 feet. I use the Frē to protect my own phone from my clumsiness, so I can testify that it keeps on protecting drop after drop. My phone has been put through the ringer over the past 2 years but is still perfect when I take it out of the case. My one complaint is that the headphone jack is difficult to use: you need an adaptor (it comes with the case) in order to plug any wired headphones in.

The main difference between the Frē and Nüüd is the screen protection. The Frē offers a screen cover so you are touching plastic on top of the screen while the Nüüd has a seal around the screen, keeping it water-tight while allowing you to still touch the glass. Both cases allow full screen use including use of a stylus and 3D touch.

Overall, the LifeProof cases offer a great solution to keeping your phone safe in the field. You’ll never have to worry about dropping it or rushing to dry it off if a pipe bursts. They start at $89.99 – that may seem like a high price, but compare that to the $700 to replace your wet phone and the decision becomes a piece of cake.

OtterBox Defender

The most rugged case offered by OtterBox is the Defender series. It offers drop and dust protection, as well as scratch protection for the screen. The screen protector is similar to LifeProof with a plastic covering and is fully compatible with 3D touch and stylus use. There is a trade-off here when compared to LifeProof – OtterBox starts at a lower price tag of $59.95 but for that price drop you lose water protection. If you’re working in conditions where it frequently snows or rains and want to be protected, the Defender isn’t the case for you.

UDA’s own Cydney Dorsey and Jason Foster use the OtterBox Defender on their phones to keep them safe. Both rave about the protection they’ve gotten over numerous drops year after year; highly recommending the case to anyone seeking a dependable smartphone case. 

Tech21 Evo Tactical Extreme

Last but not least is the Evo Tactical case. This case boasts the highest drop protection at 13 feet, is lighter and slimmer than the LifeProof and Otterbox, and also has a lower price tag at $39.95 (without screen protector). In a review on YouTube, Tech21 gives OtterBox a run for their money, keeping an iPhone 7 safe over multiple drops above the recommended limit. A glowing testimonial from one Amazon reviewer states “I work in industrial construction and need a case that is durable….I would definitely recommend this product.” This case is the perfect solution for you if you don’t want to add bulk to your phone but still need significant drop protection on the jobsite. Be sure to get a separate screen protector for full coverage!

Whatever case you choose from this list will keep you well protected on the jobsite while you log into ConstructionOnline Mobile! If you don’t have the app yet, you’re missing out – check it out here!

Interested in more insights about ConstructionOnline? Take a look at:

• Is That ConstructionOnline in Your Pocket? (or Are You Just Happy to See Me?)
• 3 Easy Ways to Improve Field Communication
• How do You Define Success?
• Introducing the ConstructionOnline Mobile App