Samsung makes phones that are strong and can last a long time. A 2012 Samsung Gusto 2 Flip phone proved this in a surprising way.

In Prescott, Arizona, 84-year-old Katie Elkin was walking in the desert near her home when she saw a dusty phone lying on the ground. It was open and covered in dirt. At first, Katie thought about giving it to a neighbor boy who liked taking electronics apart. But then she wondered if the phone could still work.

Katie went home and looked through her old chargers. She found one that fit the phone. To her amazement, the phone started charging, and later, it turned on! Katie was thrilled. She wanted to find out who owned it.

She looked at the messages and contacts on the phone. She learned the owner’s name was Maddie. Maddie worked in a cafe, liked hiking, and had family in Chicago. Using a reverse phone lookup, Katie found a number for Maddie’s father and tried calling.

Image via Samsung

Finally, just before the holidays, Maddie answered herself. She was surprised to hear from Katie and explained that she had lost the phone in 2015 while hiking in the same desert.

For ten years, the little Samsung phone had survived the hot summers, cold winters, storms, and desert conditions. Even though it was old and battered, it still worked.

This incident shows how some phones are built to last. Katie shared the story with Samsung (via CNET) to celebrate the phone’s durability. The little phone not only survived harsh conditions but also helped reconnect Maddie with her lost device.

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