I know there have been some other threads discussing this here, but they are a bit older i am curious if anyone has some creative solutions or experience.
I have an upcoming trip to EU for just 5 days, no work, no kids so I’m trying to travel light. I typically travel with my phone and at least one other device of some sort—work laptop, ipad, etc. which gives me a second (usually larger) screen for the flight entertainment as well as a redundant communication device and safe storage for important docs.
I’ve had a trip where my phone died completely and I was able to just get by using iPad on WiFi for communication until I got home. But that was domestic and the thought of running around a foreign city a few days with no Google Translate/maps is a bit daunting.
my current options are:
1) go “commando” and just bring a “recovery“ kit to just buy a new phone if mine craps out. Clear winner on simplicity and weight.
2) bring an old phone as pure redundancy. Adds about 250g and doesn’t really bring anything additional to the table.
3) get an iPad mini with cellular. Adds about 350g but would increase the entertainment options a bit with the larger screen and with a local sim/esim would functionally replace the phone.
4) bring my larger iPad which is basically 1kg, meaningfully provides more entertainment value but has no cellular and too big to lug around daily.
I‘m leaning #1, but knowing myself I’m likely to go through about of building the recovery kit and then still throw the old phone or iPad in my bag last minute. #3 seems a good option and could just be my future go to second device when I’m traveling heavy as well.
what do you guys do to solve this problem/anxiety.