To the average farmer, the smartphone is more than just a convenience, but potentially one of their most important business tools.

With so many of us accepting the fact that we are ‘time poor’, the ability to get work done, check markets, weather information, read and respond to messages and communicate with workers and family members can make a real difference to farm operations.

And with the growing incorporation of sensors and remote telemetry into farm operations, the smartphone is pretty much indispensable.

While there is a lot to be said for having some disconnected time each day to gather our thoughts, it is preferable this is done by choice, and not through a lack of phone reception at a crucial time.

This latest round of Kondinin Group phone tests is required reading for anyone who wants to maximise the reception of their next phone handset.

None of the phones tested could make a call more than 40 kilometres from the phone tower, with the best result recorded by the clunky Telstra Easycall 4 at 39km.

The best smartphone was also a Telstra-branded handset, the Lite Smart, which recorded 36km. Of the popular brand-name smartphones, it was the new iPhone XR on top with 33km.

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