After 4 or 5 years with a rugged Android phone (Casio Commando and Commando 4G), I've finally accepted that A.) I don't really drop my phone, B.) I don't get it wet, C.) the software support and OS updates run dry very quickly for low volume, seemingly budget-OS phones, and D.) Phones aren't getting any smaller while maintaining decent performance.
So I finally said screw it, I'm done with the lag, mediocre cameras, bloatware, and lack of community. I just set up my new Google Nexus 5x. I had to do a little extra legwork to get it running on Verizon (they really want you to "upgrade" and use a pre-approved, bloated VZW phone). I promise you I haven't opened the VZ Navigator app (PAID) since I had a flip phone, seeing as how most Android phones run Google's version and come with Maps/Nav for free.
Here it is. A pretty swanky jump from an equivalent Toyota Hilux/Tacoma to an STS or something. And the USB-C and 1 hour=~75% charge ain't so bad either.
I've also previously only had rugged phones, some Motorola V750 Adventurer or something, the "contractor's special" black/yellow/rubber Motorola i530, and the sleeper, some Nokia brick. This is an exciting/worrying step for me, but I did get Nexus Protect, even if it's not particularly cheap ($380 phone, $67 Protect, $80 deductible, 2 years coverage)
On the constantly-bright side, I've finally jumped ahead of my girlfriend in our OS race. She's still on that obsolete 5.0 Lollipop! I have 6.0 Marshmallow. And my
Nexus will
always be ahead of her Notes, even if only for a few weeks. My Commando 4G stopped at 4.1 Jellybean sometime in early 2014...
I have no idea what to do with my phone though. I have too much freedom now. I installed Apex Launcher to redo the homescreens and I'm transferring some app data, but then what? I'm not trying to strip it down to salvage a few grains of performance any more
