Increasingly, modern gadgets are forcing the consumer to compromise on durability, for the luxury of an intelligent device. The iPads, iPods, and iPhones of this world are some of the most feature-packed hand-held machines on the planet, but their flimsy design, coupled with a glass viewing screen, means that they are prone to scratches and dents.

Let’s not consider the survival prospects of an iPhone or iPad that is dropped into the gutter, on a rainy afternoon in January.

In a bid to alleviate the concerns of the trendy construction worker, Motorola has created a phone that offers the functionality of an Android device, such as the HTC Desire, but with none of the paper bag durability: the Defy. Designed to resist knocks that would trouble a grizzly bear, the Defy is perhaps, the most resilient smartphone on the market, with a dust- and water-resistant design.

Offering all the features of a typical Android phone, such as web browsing and video playback, so that you can watch all your favourite clips from Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, the Defy is described as “boredom proof” by the manufacturer. The Defy has Adobe Flash built-in, a 3.5in screen, and Motorola’s MotoBlur service, which collects and streams information from your contacts’ social network pages.

The five mega-pixel camera has an LED flash and an auto-focus feature, making it a better investment that the more expensive device, the HTC HD Mini.

While the aesthetics of the Defy are nothing to write home about, and its bulky countenance may even deter the more discerning consumer, Motorola’s new toy is clearly marketed at the clumsy or ‘less-careful’ users. The Defy boasts a Gorilla Glass screen, which means that it can resist the occasional tango with a key or a few coins in your handbag.

The Defy sells for around £200 online, for an unlocked, sim-free model. The recent ‘upgrade’, the Motorola Defy + (Plus) is only marginally more expensive, at £220-240.