Which Mobile Phone?

iPhone SE.

If you don’t want to learn a new operating system you may want to stick with Android. How big a deal is that to you?

Camera: video or stills? Are you ok with a fixed focal length, or do you want non-digital-zoom options (i.e., multi lens)?

Misc: waterproof without a case important? How much memory? Price limitations?

^^Philip     How big a deal is that to you?     I’m open. The smaller i-phone batteries might be a concern

Camera: video or stills?   stills: Would be nice to get some decent res shots. Your recent trip across Kodiak had really high quality visuals. I know a mobile phone isn’t going to match that but it would be nice to get some decent/presentable shots. Short video clips are a great way to preserve a memory as well.

Are you ok with a fixed focal length, or do you want non-digital-zoom options (i.e., multi lens)?  I’m trying to take shots of landscapes. Trying to hold on to that vision. It helps sometimes framing the shot to zoom and the digital zoom is not the greatest. But like Harry Callahan said A man’s gotta know his (Camera’s) limitations. At a certain point to do really good shots it seems you’ve got to get a real telephoto paired with a nice slr but then it (the trip) becomes a whole different thing, at least for my old solo, gram weenie self . But catching the best image I can within the limits of a mobile phone is worth it $$

Misc: waterproof without a case important? How much memory? Price limitations?    Yes on the waterproof. On memory I need to store somewhat large Caltopo downloads but I can delete and reload map files and photos/videos. I currently have only @ 22 gb on the s-5. @9 on a card and @ 12 of 16 internal.

I’d also prefer to have as little bloat ware as possible. Avoiding all the crap running in the background and cranking up every time you turn on the device helps a lot with battery life. I currently fire up the inreach only 4 times a day to send progress – on schedule reports/messages and try to turn on the phone only for photos, when necessary to check position get a bearing on a waypoint with Gaia or send a ‘special’ message paired with the inreach.

BTW Thanks. Those are some good questions!

i love my Black view 9800 pro. It has great battery life, awesome camera, gps reception and pairs well with my Garmin mini. Waterproof and pretty much bulletproof. Before that I used the Kyocera Duraforce Pro which now has an upgrade. Smaller battery life but otherwise ticks all the right boxes. 

Neither camera needs cases and are military/industrial grade phones. Not sexy but completely functional.

The Black view line has numerous choices with battery storage a the way up to 13000 mah.

I would look at that line if you want indestructible and perfect for the trail.

I’d recommend the Pixel 4a 5g which has long battery life, costs around 350$, has one of the best cameras available.   Then also try caltopo, and locus maps along with Gaia.  peace