This $580 mid-range phone just put devices worth double its price to shame in durability test

A man put a $580 mid-range phone through a durability test, and it held up better than some models costing almost twice the price.

Even the most careful of us have probably been guilty of accidentally damaging a phone or two over the years – from inadvertently dropping it on the floor, to mistakenly dunking it in some water. 

So, phone creators have been working hard on making handsets more hard-wearing, like the iPhone Air, which Apple says is its most durable model ever. 

But you don’t need to part with a huge chunk of cash to get your hands on a durable device, as YouTuber JerryRigEverything recently proved.

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The mid-range phone performed very well in a durability test

Those looking for a new phone in 2026 could be overwhelmed by the sheer number of devices on offer. 

Before making a purchase its important to do a bit of research, so you get the best option for your money, but you don’t always need to spend a fortune to get a decent model. 

JerryRigEverything was recently left very impressed after checking out a mid-range phone that costs about half the price of some of the more popular models on the market.

As well as its reasonable $580 price tag, the phone also comes with a six-year battery lifespan and some heavy-duty durability. 

The model in question is the Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G, and it’s really built to last. 

The phone is available in either black, blue, or ‘mocha brown’, and has a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 display, with the same glass covering the REDMI Note’s cameras. 

The glass is tougher than average, with testing showing scratches didn’t appear until level six on the Mohs hardness scale, with deeper scratches seen at level seven. 

While the plastic frame wasn’t quite as durable, the YouTuber said this would actually protect the phone if it were dropped, as it helps absorb some of the impact. 

The tech expert was also impressed by the fiberglass back panel, noting that it’s about ten times more impact-resistant than glass while still allowing wireless signals to pass through.

When it came to the bend test, which is exactly what it sounds like, the Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 Pro+ performed ‘better than the phones that cost hundreds’, according to the YouTuber. 

And it’s tough credentials don’t stop there

The Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G has IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, which puts it ahead of the iPhone 17 range, Samsung S25 series, and the Google Pixel 10 when it comes to dust and water resistance.

Its creators say it can be submerged in two meters of water for up to 24 hours, which is a seriously impressive stat. 

Xiaomi also says it can be dropped from a little over 8 feet and still work.

Alongside its durability, the phone comes with six years of security updates and a battery that Xiaomi says can last up to six years and supports fast-charging. 

So it’s easy see why this phone can give the competition a run for its money.

You can check out the full review on the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel here.

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