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

Published on Jan 19, 2026 at 7:06 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid

Last updated on Jan 19, 2026 at 1:10 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

When this man put a $580 mid-range phone through a durability test, 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 durable, 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 might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of devices on offer. 

Before making a purchase, it’s 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 to absorb some of the impact. 

The tech expert was also impressed by the fiberglass back panel, noting that it’s about 10 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. 

Its tough credentials don’t stop there

When it comes to dust and water resistance, 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.

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 to 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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With a background in both local and national press in the UK, Claire moved to New Zealand before joining the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in May 2024. As a Senior Content Writer working on New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), Claire was the first writer on the team to make the site’s output a slick 24/7 operation covering the latest in automotive news.