The only reason I take my phone with me on hikes is for the camera. One day I’d like to get a dumbcamera and leave my phone behind more. I don’t take a ton of pictures but do like to have the option.
I like to enable airplane mode for that kind of situation. Knowing my phone won't alert me about an email/text/call or whatever is very soothing.
Until you have an emergency and you need to call the helicopter, been there
I have a personal locator beacon (PLB) for that. Works even when there's no reception as it's satellite based. 10 year battery life...
Yeah. If you're genuinely concerned about being able to call for help, you should absolutely be carrying a PLB--though I don't. A smartphone may work. A PLB also may work but for higher values of may. Especially in more remote areas where injuries are probably a bigger deal, phones often can't be counted on.
I admit I use the GPS although I don't typically depend on it. (At least for anything serious.)
I do carry bottom end etrex 10 with me but that’s for tracking route later and updating OSM. I’ve never used it for navigation.
I’d like to get to places that I’d want to use gps. Most of my hikes are on pretty clear trails that I know.