[chrisseaton]

> I never use my smartphone for music, I don't see the need.

But if you want a music player, why carry and charge a second device if you already have a phone?

[revelation]

Because it's heavy, large, battery life sucks, breaks when dropped, might not even have a 3.5 mm jack and most of all requires me to look at its display to do anything.

I have one of those Sansa Clip players running Rockbox that I use for sport and bike commute. It costs nothing, it is virtually indestructible, has more space for music than anyone ever needs and I can operate it without ever taking it out of the pocket its in. Simple physical button presses to start, shutdown, resume last playback position, adjust volume and move forward and backwards between songs and folders.

[lin_lin]

> I can operate it without ever taking it out of the pocket its in.

Yes! That's something so innate to my usage that I forgot to mention it.

[lmm]

> requires me to look at its display to do anything

Don't phones tend to have an inline control on the headphones that you can operate by feel? Certainly mine does.

[pingec]

I love the Sansa Clips. Does Rockbox still produce noise when not playing music in the headphones?

[revelation]

Not for me unless I put the volume all the way up. The Sansa Clips are a great device, they just don't seem to make them anymore :(

[collyw]

Agreed, they were a good price and I managed to stick mine through the washing machine a couple of times and still use it.

[lin_lin]

Charging isn't an issue, it lasts days and days. I don't actually remember the last time it ever ran out. Not mention I use it as a handy sub storage for other files. It's ultra light, and as someone who does a bit of running I'd feel ridiculous having one of those arm patches to hold a £xxx phone.

[lmm]

Weight is a good reason - though I now play music on my fitness tracker/smartwatch (Gear Fit 2).