Are you looking for the most rugged phone in 2024 with a reasonable budget? Our robust list of drop, shock, and waterproof phones will help make buying decisions easier.
If you work in a job that requires reliability and durability, like construction, public service, or outdoor activities, you may want to consider a rugged phone.
Rugged smartphones are built to withstand the harshest conditions for an extended duration. But which phone to choose? Let’s get the answer.
Rugged phone vs smartphone
Rugged phones differ from smartphones because they can survive in various conditions and environments. Ultimately, the average smartphone remains a vulnerable tool. It might stay caught in a light shower or dropped on a carpeted floor, but it doesn’t take much to crack your screen or damage your favorite phone. This is where rugged phones come into play.
This niche phone is designed to be durable and resilient whether you use it at home, on extreme adventures, or in harsh professional environments like construction sites. It’s military-grade tested to withstand drops and has a higher ingress protection rating against dust and water than a standard cell phone.
Some of these phones are aimed at businesses with unique features like infrared cameras, while others offer longer-than-usual battery life.
It’s often easy to tell the difference between rugged and regular phones. The chassis usually has a reinforced, bulky design that provides shock resistance and keeps the phone safe no matter where you use it.
However, that’s no longer the case across the board, as some more durable models have a sleeker exterior that looks more like a standard handset. Some rugged models offer premium pricing or are only available through certain carriers, while others are more reasonably priced.
List of Best Rugged Phones 2024
Check out this updated article for the best-rugged smartphones in 2024.
1. Blackview BV8900
Blackview is a well-established mobile phone for anyone looking for the best-rugged smartphone. The BV8900 rugged smartphone has robust IP68 and IP69K professional military waterproof certification and MIL-STD-810H drop protection certification to protect against accidental drops, shocks, or shattering. It can withstand a 5m drop to the ground and is water resistant up to 1.5m deep for 30 minutes.
The Blackview BV8900 stands out as one of the company’s latest models and is the first to come with Android 13. As you can see in the image, this phone has moulded edges and unique buttons designed to provide drop protection and reinforcement coercion.
The Blackview BV8900 6.5-inch 1,080 x 2,400-pixel display uses a corning gorilla glass five screens to protect it from cracks and thick scratches caused by accidental drops.
The bulky design is reminiscent of what you’d expect from a robust protective case on top of a regular phone. The advantage here is that you don’t need a protective case. This phone can handle the most challenging environments around.
The BV8900 also stands out for its diverse feature set. In addition to the 64MP wide camera and 16MP selfie camera, it is equipped with a FLIR thermal imaging camera.
It features an FM radio, MediaTek processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage and supports up to 1TB via microSD card.
Large-capacity lithium polymer 10,380mAh built-in battery has twice the capacity of a typical cell phone battery.
2. Nokia XR21
The Nokia XR21 rugged phone takes ruggedness to a new level. The company claims that this model can withstand water jet pressure of 100 bar and bills the phone as drop-proof, dustproof, and water-resistant. The IP rating is IP69K. Here, “9K” means the maximum protection against water, including high-pressure washers.
The 6.49-inch 1,080 x 2,400-pixel screen features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, operates with gloves even in wet environments, and has a one-year screen replacement warranty. Unlike many rugged phones, the Nokia XR21 is aimed at everyday consumers who live extreme lifestyles.
Ultimately, we can all agree that our phones can handle anything, whether extreme temperatures (from -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 131 degrees Fahrenheit) or extreme elements like rain, snow, and sand. Soil. The phone has AI-enhanced imaging with stereo speakers, 64MP vast and 8MP ultra-wide rear camera arrays, and a 16MP front camera.
The phone features military-grade MIL-STD-810 protection and is drop-resistant from heights up to 1.8 meters, providing ample protection against falling out of your hands. It uses the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, all in a relatively sleek design.
Specifically, HMD Global offers a 3-year warranty and promises three years of OS upgrades and four years of monthly security updates. You can get the Nokia XR21 on Amazon.
- 6.49 inches of FHD+ screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- 128GB of storage with 6GB RAM
- Powerful Snapdragon 695 5G Prosessor
- 4800mAh battery that last Up to 2-day
- 3 years of OS upgrades with four years of monthly security updates
3. Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro 5G
The Samsung XCover6 Pro 5G rugged phone is aimed at business users, but anyone can buy it and benefit from its robust design. The phone has a 6.6-inch LCD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ to prevent scratches and cracks.
Additionally, screen touch functionality has been improved to allow gloves to be used on the screen even when the display is wet. Samsung says the phone passed MIL-STD-810G testing. The XCover Pro also has an ingress protection rating of IP68, making it particularly resistant to particles (dust, dirt, sand) and water.
Don’t expect the flagship phone performance in the Samsung Galaxy S series. It includes an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of onboard storage, upgradable to 1TB via a microSD card slot.
For imaging, the XCover6 Pro has a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide rear camera array, and a 32MP front camera, which should be adequate for most users. The phone has dual SIM support (1 Nano SIM and one eSim). The phone also has a removable battery, so you can always have a spare battery ready.
Since this phone is intended for corporate environments, it comes with Samsung’s corporate firmware for over-the-air updates. It supports the Knox Platform for Enterprise Security and Knox Manage for device management.
- With MIL-STD-810H and a 1.5m drop testing
- IP68 rating stands with dust, dirt, sand, and water
- Faster wireless data networks 5G and Wi-Fi 6E
- 6.6-inch LCD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
4. Doogee V MAX 5G
The Doogee V MAX is my pick for the best-rugged smartphone. Boasting IP68 and IP69K ratings, which means it’s dust and water-resistant and is also MIL-STD-810H tested, it’ll survive whatever test you throw. This phone can operate from -67°F to 158°F, so extreme conditions are no problem.
Jumping into the water is no problem, thanks to the V MAX’s ability to withstand up to 4 feet of submersion for 30 minutes. It also has a bright 6.58-inch 120Hz screen that lets you see everything.
The 108MP primary camera allows you to take beautiful snapshots easily, the 20MP night vision camera is convenient for use in low light, and the 8MP wide-angle lens captures the entire scene.
With 20GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, you won’t experience any slowdowns or hiccups. You can also upgrade the storage to 2TB if you wish. The 22000mAh battery provides up to 109 hours of talk time, and 33W fast charging lets you return to work quickly.
It’s pretty heavy, weighing over a pound. Moreover, the phone only supports Android 12, but it’s usually not uncommon to see solid phones running older operating systems. It supports 5G and WiFi 6, but these are rare. If you want a reliable phone with almost all the features, the Doogee V MAX is it.
5. Motorola Defy
The Motorola Defy rugged smartphone has been officially launched. The mobile phone is IP68 and military standard certified to survive extreme conditions. Motorola says the phone has double-sealed housing and can stay up to 5 feet in water for 35 minutes.
It is also resistant to sand, dust, dirt, moisture, and salt. The Motorola Defy is also vibration and rotation tested. This phone can withstand MIL-SPEC 810H extreme temperatures and repeated drops up to 6 feet. Motorola Defy (2021) can also be cleaned with soap and mild disinfectant.
Motorola Defy runs on Android 10. It has a 6.5-inch HD+ display with dual SIM slots (Nano) and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
A Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC powers the phone with 4GB of RAM. The internal storage is 64 GB and can be expanded using a microSD card.
The Motorola Defy boasts a triple rear camera setup comprising a 48-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture, a 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. It also has an 8-megapixel selfie camera.
Motorola Defy offers a 5,000mAh battery with 20W TurboPower charging. The company claims the battery can last up to two days. Connectivity options include a USB Type-C port, Bluetooth v5, NFC, VoLTE, and a 3.5mm audio jack. There are programmable hotkeys in Push-to-Talk (PTT) mode.
The new Motorola Defy costs around EUR 229. $279, and £221 for a standalone 4GB + 64GB storage model. Available in Black and Forged Green color options at Amazon.
Motorola offers a two-year warranty, Android Enterprise support, and two years of security updates.
- 6.5 inches of screen with 720 x 1600 pixels
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 Chipset
- 4GB of RAM with 64GB storage
- Android 10 operating sys
6. Doogee S100 Pro
The Doogee S100 Pro stands out for its gorgeous design and impressive specifications. This early 2023 4G model comes with Android 12. This model has an octa-core MediaTek processor with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. The 6.58-inch screen has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz, so it works even when wet.
The triple rear camera array includes a 108MP primary camera, a 20MP night vision camera, 16MP macro and wide-angle cameras, and a 32MP front camera. The phone has dual speakers that support high-resolution audio, so you can listen to exciting music while walking.
It also features a high-capacity 22,000mAh battery and 33-watt fast charging, so you can quickly charge as needed. This ruggedly designed device is certified IP68/IP69K dust and water-resistant and can withstand the stringent MIL-STD-810H standards.
There’s a 130-lumen camping light on the back so that you can shine even in the dark. The black design is available with your choice of gold or silver accents. The phone comes with a 2-year warranty in the USA.
7. Cat S62 Pro
The Cat S62 Pro continues the legacy of prevalent rugged smartphones suitable for construction workers, can withstand the harshest environments, and retains the elegant appearance of modern smartphones.
The thermal camera has a much better sensor (FLIR Lepton 3.5 instead of the old Lepton 2.5), has four more thermal pixels (and thus sharper images), and now has the new MyFLIR PRO app with additional features.
But since manufacturers decided to eliminate indoor air quality sensors and laser-assisted ranging, one side has gained while the other has lost.
The internal hardware has also been improved (although not too radical) and now has a better camera. This is important considering that unlike the Panasonic Throughpad series, which focuses exclusively on the industrial aspect, CAT smartphones are always suitable for the consumer market.
The Cat S62 Pro doesn’t look as stylish as some flagship smartphones, but it’s still far from a rough look, so expect a windshield and metal frame. And a plastic back panel. The case has retained the rounded corners of the previous model and is considerably more significant than the previous model.
We’ve already talked a bit about the front of the phone. Still, the S62 Pro has a 5.7-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels, a pixel density of 424 PPI, and an 18:9. Aspect ratio (finally jumped into the widescreen trend). The resolution is good enough for a screen of this size, and the viewing angles are solid.
Inside the S62 Pro is an octa-core Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 chipset, an improvement over the Snapdragon 630 chip, with Adreno 512 GPU, 6GB RAM, and 128GB storage memory. You can also add up to 256GB using a microSD slot).
The S62 Pro runs on Android 10, and an upgrade to Android 11 is a planned firmware upgrade for rugged smartphones. This software is an almost basic version that will appease most users as it doesn’t bother with extra unnecessary apps (which you can sometimes uninstall).
On the back of the phone is a 16-megapixel camera with dual-LED dual-tone flash and an FLIR thermal camera (which we have already discussed). On the front is the same 12-megapixel secondary camera. The primary camera takes decent pictures in most cases, but it’s not on par with other cell phone cameras of a similar price.
The Cat S62 Pro also has a removable 4,000 mAh battery, another unfortunate decision made by the manufacturer as the CAT S61 has a 4,500 mAh battery. Considering the S62 PRO’s SoC is not very power efficient, expect about a day and a half with little and medium use. It takes 2 hours to get from 0% to 100% using the supplied charger.
It measures 6.24 x 3.02 x 0.47 inches. Interestingly, This rugged phone is lighter at 8.75 ounces. The back of the phone has a rubber finish and, like its predecessors, cannot be removed to access the battery, and the tray on the left has to be removed to access the microSD and SIM card slots—side of the device.
The buttons on edge are large, complex, and easy to press (a programmable key can be configured to send a location to a predefined contact list when pressed. There’s a USB port on the bottom, an audio jack on the top while it’s on, and a cover that protects both small.
The Cat S62 Pro is built to withstand many penalties. The manufacturer says the device is drop-resistant and can withstand drops from 6 feet onto concrete thanks to its reinforced die-cast frame (falls from all sides and corners), and the smartphone is also MIL-Spec 810H rated.
The CAT S62 Pro has been tested and passed for vibration, wind, drop, rain, salt, sand, fog, temperature extremes (-13 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), high altitude, and humidity.
Also, the edges protrude a bit from the front, creating a bit of lip around the display, so along with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection, you need to make sure the screen doesn’t break if you drop your face first.
The Cat S62 Pro is also rated IP68 and IP69, suggesting it can be submerged in water 10 feet below for 60 minutes. One thing missing is the physical button. From my point of view, this button is still essential in harsh environments as the screen is not always available. There is a glove mod, but nothing beats suitable physical buttons.
The S62 Pro’s smartphone appeal is still its built-in thermal camera, and given that this rugged smartphone has an improved sensor, the thermal camera can capture better images. More specifically, the Lepton 3.5 sensor has four times as many thermal pixels as its predecessor (160x120p), with an output of 1440×1080 pixels.
Additionally, the camera can detect heat sources up to 10 feet away, with a temperature range of -4 to 752°F (same as previous versions). Multiple modes (filters) still exist, allowing you to measure the temperature of various points, pinpoint the temperature retrospectively in the image, and ‘see’ it even in a smoky environment.
The S62 Pro fits much better than most other rugged smartphones on this list, has many features, and looks better than some industrial handsets.
In terms of ruggedness, the S62 Pro excels in every way. It is waterproof, dustproof, and can handle many drops.
- 5.7-inch IPS Display
- Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Drop Tested up to 6Ft
- Good battery l
8. Nokia XR20 rugged smartphone
Moving on to rugged phones, the Nokia XR20 is one of the most balanced and broadly appealing phones we’ve used. It’s tough in all the right places but relatively painless to use.
Make no mistake. This isn’t an exceptionally well-appointed phone. However, it has a sufficiently bright and sharp display, and the camera is not entirely offset. You also get some fantastic little luxuries like wireless charging and stereo speakers.
Known for its many memes about the device’s strengths, the Nokia XR20 has one of the top spots on this list. The Nokia XR20 is resistant to many conditions, including drops, scratches, moisture, and dust. It can also detect touch even when your hands are wet or you are wearing gloves.
One of the best devices of 2024, the Nokia XR20 is one of the best options for a rugged device. Smartphones have beautiful, sleek and sleek designs that look like everyday commercial devices but have the strengths of bulky and solid machines.
The design is hardly slick or attractive, but it’s not obtrusive, with attractively industrial exposed metal sides and a pleasantly impractical shade of blue.
There’s also the security of an extended warranty, a one-year free screen replacement scheme, and Nokia’s surprisingly long promise of software updates.
The company didn’t hit a home run here. Performance is pretty mediocre, and we would have liked to see something a little more dominant in the CPU department.
Elsewhere, a slightly higher refresh rate would go a long way in making the XR20 feel a bit more up-to-date. On the other hand, with advances in affordable ‘regular’ phones,
But if you’re looking for a truly rugged phone that can withstand extreme environments and home life without breaking the bank, this is about as good as you can get right now.
- Up to 2 meters of drop protection provides IP68
- 2 years of warranty
- Android OS upgrading security until 2024
- 6GB of RAM with 128GB storage and up to 512GB of MicroSD card support
- Advanced biometrics with a side Fingerprint sen
9. Samsung XCover Pro
Samsung is focusing more on the mid-range market, where Chinese-made rugged smartphones have dominated for a while. Of course, I’m talking about the XCover series. Now Samsung also calls the Galaxy XCover Pro a bit better, a solid phone. Hopefully, this can fill the hole in the active shape of our minds.
That said, the XCover Pro looks a lot more like a modern smartphone, with the big bezels of the XCover 4S behind it. We’re still dealing with a reasonably compact plastic case. It measures 6.30 x 3.02 x 0.39 inches and has a rubbery frame around the unit to give it a firm grip.
The back of the smartphone is also designed to prevent the device from sliding out of your hand thanks to its unique texture but make no mistake. It’s still plastic (not something Samsung was trying to hide).
On the plus side, the back panel can be removed, and yes, the battery can be replaced, which is very unusual for a smartphone released last year. Although it doesn’t follow the windshield design, the XCover Pro still looks much more modern than the XCover 4S.
- 6.3 inches edge to edge display
- With Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- MIL-STD-810G certified
- IP-68 rated
10. Motorola ES400 Rugged
Things move incredibly fast in the world of mobile devices. When the Motorola ES400 Enterprise Digital Assistant was released, it could not be used as a platform for Motorola’s smallest rugged phone devices to date.
Instead, the candy bar-style device uses Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Pro, which is probably the easiest way to control it with mouse remorse because using a stylus to fight against today’s finger-friendly smartphone operating systems seems to have entered a prehistoric era.
Then there’s the ES400’s 600MHz ARM 11 processor. This processor seemed to be next to the dual-core Hummingbird 1GHz processor. Nevertheless, the ES400’s background enabled businesses to provide employees with a single device to do all the necessary work.
To that end, Motorola did a great job in hardware and software. The ES400 offers numerous features in a rugged and durable smartphone in 2024, making it an ideal development platform for solution providers serving healthcare, retail, field sales and service, and many other industries.
For the device you’re working with, durability is critical. The ES400 is rated to withstand multiple drops and trips (MIL-STD 801G) and is built to resist dust, moisture, and rain (IP42 ingress protection rating). Long-lasting devices reduce the total cost of ownership and increase operator productivity and customer satisfaction.
Even better, you don’t drop the device at all. Testers believed the device’s rubberized grip was helpful all around. The 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera is a digital image and barcode scanner capable of reading and decoding 1D and 2D codes.
A dedicated scan button stops all currently running applications, creates a video window, and illuminates the code being scanned with an LED light. Testers were impressed with the camera’s ability to focus on a subject and quickly scan and decode barcodes.
All of this is done in 2-3 seconds. The application that does this, called DataWedge, is turned off by default, just like the barcode reader. Both are enabled in the Settings app.
To simplify the provisioning of custom applications with the ES400, Motorola includes the Motorola Enterprise User Interface, an app launcher natively easily customized and populated with apps.
Essential or frequently used apps can be placed centrally on the front and quickly launched with a finger or stylus or highlighted and activated using a centre button that acts as a mini trackpad.
Motorola says its phones work on the Sprint CDMA EVDO US-based network, which is between 3G and 4G (aka 3.5G) in speed, but also features a GSM/HSPA radio and work elsewhere in the world at 3G speed. There is also a WiFi radio with Push-to-Talk (PTT) and VoiceWiFir IP (VoIP) capabilities. Some clever software allows users to easily “switch” between the two networks.
The ES-400 is proficient at some tasks such as scanning and digital processing data, withstanding harsh processing and brightening it for long periods. And while it stumbled here and there with outdated operating systems and poor application processors, performance was stable for the most part. Stay tuned to see how this device evolves.
This phone is of great value. It has many of the same features as a cell phone, costing twice as much. The speakerphone, blue teeth, and other features work perfectly. I am thrilled with this phone. It is compact and fits easily in my pocket or purse. This rugged phone is durable. However, there is a lack of battery life.
- IP42 ingress protection rating
- 600MHz ARM 11 processor
- Operating system windows embedded handheld 6.
11. Doogee S98 Pro
Doogee makes some of the latest rugged phones, and the S98 Pro is their latest model. It’s bulky and evokes the look of smartphones imagined in 90’s sci-fi movies.
Despite being an LCD, it offers solid performance, good battery life, and a bright display. It’s also impressively built with a rugged shell and Gorilla Glass display.
Then there’s the camera. The standard 48Mp sensor is sharp enough, but the additional night vision sensor is excellent and can also be used for thermal imaging.
Doogee’s S98 Pro is an excellent option for anyone looking for a phone that’s rugged enough to withstand water, dust, and everything else (even explosives), but it’s also more than that.
It’s a great Android 12 smartphone with a very nice camera, impressive battery life, and a bright display, and we can easily recommend it at this price point unless you need 5G.
- Robust IP69K protection
- 6000mAh of longest battery with 33W fast charging
- 48MP of ultra-high resolution sensor with a 20MP night vision camera
- Built-in thermal imaging camera for protaction
- 8GB of RAM with a 256GB larger storage
12. AGM Glory Pro 5G
As an Android-powered 5G rugged smartphone, the AGM Glory Pro is a modern reinterpretation of how a current-generation smartphone will look and behave if built with durability, repairability, upgradeability, ultimate thermal imaging, and versatility in mind.
AGM has been making rugged smartphones for over 50 years, and what stands out most about these devices is their attempt to keep the design as close as possible to a regular smartphone. Under odd circumstances, the AGM has entirely strayed from its initial philosophy.
Despite having an expensive price tag, the latest AGM Glory Pro is not a device to be mistaken for a mainstream flagship smartphone.
There is only a slight deviation in the corners, so if you drop it from that angle, your smartphone can survive (which usually happens). Turn the AGM Glory Pro the other way around, and it’s an entirely different story. A large circular area where the manufacturer has placed the camera (similar to the design of a Leica phone) and a protrusion to house a prominent speaker in the centre.
This was one of the main selling points, as it can reach 110dB very loudly. Still, if the location were slightly different (like the front…), it would be a very loudspeaker.
A piece of plastic goes from the speaker to the top of the sturdy smartphone and ends with two powerful lights.
Also, on the back panel, there are various protected areas. There is a wildly inaccurate fingerprint reader when you move your finger at a slight angle and then wirelessly charge. I’ve rarely seen it on other rugged smartphones, and it works so well that I think it’s an essential addition by AGM (tested with the Vebach 30W wireless charger).
The AGM Glory Pro’s frame (which appears to be made of 10% woven fibreglass) has a multifunctional red button that doesn’t support SOS functionality but has a push-to-talk option. Simulates walkie-talkie communication. There’s also an unusual 3.5mm jack and the usual volume rocker, power button, and USB-C charging port (the last two are covered).
There is also a microSD card slot to extend up to 512GB of storage. Regarding robustness, the AGM Glory Pro picks up on most boxes. IP68 and IP69K ratings provide complete protection against dust, and the smartphone is also virtually waterproof.
And yes, you can dive 5 feet down in 30 minutes. It is also MIL-STD-810H certified, and tests published by AGM are drop protection on concrete, high-temperature spray down, and the ability to remain operational when temperatures drop from -4 to 60 degrees. More because a rugged phone can hold -40 degrees for an hour, thanks to what AGM calls an arctic battery.
No Gorilla Glass protection on a rugged smartphone costs quite a bit. This is compensated for using a thermal imaging camera. There are four cameras on the back of a powerful smartphone. One is the 48-megapixel primary shooter that works well with the 2-megapixel macro camera.
And then there’s a 20-megapixel night vision camera that uses two infrared LEDs. Despite having a better resolution, it’s not very good at image processing, but it still shows the temperature and works as intended, as it can see more than 20 feet. It’s also relatively fast and doesn’t lag, as seen on other smartphones, primarily because of internal hardware.
Don’t expect it to be flagship-level cause it is built for an accurate midrange. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G SoC, Adreno 619 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 256GB flash storage.
The display is 1080p (2340 x 1080 pixels, to be exact) and is a large, ultra-bright 6.53-inch LTPS TFT panel reaching up to 860 nits. So it will be good outdoors under the sun. The AGM Glory Pro has a 6,200mAh non-removable battery that provides nearly 18 hours of SOT with brightness set to 50%, effortlessly passing two days of moderate use.
Rugged smartphones come with stock-like Android 11, and unfortunately, users will continue to use this version as AGM doesn’t upgrade their powerful smartphones to the latest Android version. Also, the warranty period is limited to one year, so you should always check the type of support you will get in your area, including the USA and European countries.
The AGM Glory Pro 5G is one of the best-rugged smartphones of its predecessor in terms of ruggedness and overall performance. It’s a mid-range smartphone on the inside, but the outside makes the difference when working in an industrial environment.
AGM Rugged smartphones came with wireless charging, a thermal camera, loudspeaker, black and white night vision, and powerful dual LED flashlights, adding as many elements as possible to convince users to stay away from other brands. It would have been an excellent smartphone if it had not been for software and hardware support. But in its present form, it is attractive enough.
- 6.53 inched LCD screen with 2340 x 1080 resolution
- High megapixel camera
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 chipset
- MIL-STD-810H certified
- 5G unlocked ph
13. Sonim XP8
This year, we seem to have become a habit for manufacturers of rugged phones, so in addition to a new line of CAT powerful smartphones such as the S62 Pro, we get the Sonim XP8, the successor to the widely popular Sonim XP7.
The Sonim XP8 rugged mobile phone is a niche audience for construction workers, electricians, and those working in chemical plants, especially first responders. Dangerous and Urgent – This is enhanced by FirstNet Ready certification.
FirstNest gives first responders access to a congestion-free broadband LTE network that can send data quickly, saving more lives and ensuring better public safety.
Sonim has also maintained a Push-To-Talk feature (AT&T exclusive EPTT) that can be a reliable tool in emergencies or when users need walkie-talkie-type services. This phone is designed to make the device waterproof, withstand drops on all surfaces, and be used in hazardous environments.
The Sonim XP8 follows in the same footsteps, so it’s pretty similar in design as it keeps the top bulge of the antenna.
Still, it loses its octagonal shape and gets a more angular shape with smooth rounded corners (the smartphone also measures 5.98 x 3.12 x 0.7 inches, so it’s a bit bigger than the XP7). It’s thin, has a little extra weight, and weighs 11.81 ounces.
On the front, we decided to mount a 5-inch ISP LCD with a 16:9 aspect ratio, 441 PPI pixel density, and a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. For actual media consumption, the display works fine but has a noticeable red tint and doesn’t pop out as much color as an AMOLED display.
Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covers the screen and protects the entire front (except the buttons), which is excellent for scratch resistance. The display can be fragile if users drop the phone before their face, so Sonim has a protruding protective lip.
In the front area are two 100dB+ speakers (with noise-cancelling) that are very loud and surprisingly clear, as expected. Your smartphone can still work even with wet fingers or gloves. The Sonim XP7 can withstand much abuse, and the XP8 doesn’t lower the bar.
The handset is rated IP68, IP69, and IP69K, allowing it to be submerged in depths of up to 6.5 feet for up to 30 minutes and withstand direct water jets.
It can also withstand corrosive chemicals and oils, extreme pressure, and many drops before taking real damage (Military 810G and non-incendive grades I, II, and III).
So, similar to its predecessor, this phone isn’t indestructible, but it’s a daunting task (probably one of the most durable smartphones available, right next to the Panasonic rugged handset).
Moving on to the cameras, you’ll notice that the Sonim XP8 sports a 12-megapixel rear camera that uses PDAF technology and can shoot 1080p video at 30 fps, and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera is perfect for selfies.
As with almost all rugged smartphones, the rear camera works well in bright light but performs poorly in low light. I wouldn’t use the Sonim XP8 as my primary shooter.
Inside the case, the Sonim XP8 features a Qualcomm SDM630 Snapdragon 630 SoC with a clock speed of 2.2 GHz, an Adreno 508 GPU, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB of storage memory (up to a 128 GB microSD card slot that can be added).
It will also give you a decent experience with Android 7.0 Nougat (yes, Sonim has decided not to implement the latest Android Oreo and doesn’t expect any future updates.
Powerful smartphones usually require Android in-place upgrades to be a bit risky regarding stability.) This isn’t necessarily bad for the Sonim XP8, as it can result in a. Now, let’s look at the battery. The XP7 had a relatively impressive 4800mAh battery that could provide up to 48 hours of everyday use.
In contrast, the Sonim XP8 uses a 4900mAh removable battery similar to its predecessor, which takes about two days of medium capacity.
Use it a lot until the battery needs to be recharged (XP8 has Quick Charge 4.0, a fast battery charging technology).
Other elements that set this device further away from a regular Android or Apple handset include the ‘analog’ front buttons (back, home, and recent), the PTT above button, and the top Sonim XPand connector (allowing users to connect various modules to the phone and function Expansion.
Available modules include a laser barcode scanner or channel selection module, a Sonim SecureAudio connector (for all external speakers), and a red alarm key (automatically GPS location when pressed, and the user should immediately call an emergency center), which has a long been standard and is now very.
A few other features that are turning out to be exotic are the removable battery and microSD card. Still, Sonim is guilty of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack and the Type-C connector for USB battery charging.
A final attractive ‘feature’ is the 3-year warranty. The Sonim XP8 will be replaced if it breaks down without question.
The new Sonim XP8 is one of the most rugged smartphones released this year, and its mid-range performance will be good enough for most users, not only for workers in harsh environments but also for those who play outdoor sports.
- 5 inches ISP screen with 441 PPI pixel density
- Resistance to drops & water
- FirstNet Ready certified
- 3 years of comprehensive warra
14. Ulefone Power Armor 11
Here comes the new rugged smartphone with the two infrared LEDs illuminating the Ulefone Armor 11’s 20MP night vision camera. So you can shoot in complete darkness, and the results are excellent.
Ulefone Armor 11 is built to withstand harsh conditions for those who lead an active life. There is no need to worry about damage during use as it is waterproof, dustproof, and anti-falling.
New features such as gesture navigation, dark theme, intelligent responses, and live captions are immediately included in Ulefone Armor 11’s Android 10 OS to protect your privacy and make your Android experience easier, smarter, and more valuable.
Overall, the phone is 10x faster than 4G in terms of network speed with a large capacity battery, and charging the battery is quick and easy. Also, a sizeable high-contrast screen gives you a great user experience. However, there could be good picture quality.
- Truly waterproof phone
- Features 48MP ultra-high resolution camera
- MediaTek Dimensity 800 5G processor
- 5G network support
15. Panasonic ToughBook FZ-T1
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1 is part of Panasonic’s latest fully rugged handheld series. The Toughbook mobile phone is simply on another level in terms of ruggedness. When Panasonic mentioned the 5-inch handset as a tablet capable of making calls, the Toughbook FZ-T1 became handheld, and the Wi-Fi/4G version became full-featured—functions of a regular smartphone.
The build and extra features set it apart from other rugged smartphones, and the closest device I could find is the Cat S61 (thanks to its thermal imaging camera).
Unfortunately, it is unsuitable for the general consumer and is made specifically for industrial users (mainly due to its integrated barcode scanner). The Toughpad FZ-T1 features a thick case (3.0 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches, including a barcode reader section, which is much thinner than the N1 model) and a reasonably rounded back panel to hold the device in hand comfortably, and a black matte finish to the grip.
Below the display is a monaural speaker up to 95 dB possible and a microphone. Yes, the three physical buttons (Back, Start, and Search) are now replaced by on-screen alternatives. If the display understands us, make sure there are no malfunctions. This process involves limiting touchscreen multi-touch usability from ten fingers to just one.)
The side of the Toughbook FZ-T1 is a combination of grey plastic and black rubber that stretches toward the front bezel. Also on the left is a protective cover that hides the micro USB port (no USB-C), on the top is a 3.5mm headset jack next to a 1D/2D barcode reader, and on the right is a power button, programmable side buttons, and volume buttons (with a cradle on the bottom of the device).
An extensive bus for attaching is helpful in industrial environments where the unit can be easily missed.) The rear of the FZ-T1 has a slight bulge with a top (to accommodate a barcode reader) with a built-in camera. The end of the FZ-T1 is exciting, as it has a latch that unlocks once it is actuated towards the bottom. Expose the removable battery.
The sizeable front part has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels (a bit embarrassing for a two-year-old rugged phone), around 294 PPI, and a brightness level of up to 500 cd/m2, which looks identical to the much older Toughpad FZ-E1.
Now that this is a sturdy device, the screen isn’t expected to break easily, and that’s mostly true as it can be dropped from 10 feet without damage (the thick border surrounding the display plays. a critical part). Many drops will survive without problems.
The FZ-T1 is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera (with LED flash and autofocus), and this smartphone does not have a front camera (even in industrial environments, people want to make video calls).
The rear camera will take good pictures in good lighting, especially on sunny days outdoors (although there was a bit of overexposure). At night, the images were blurry and full of noise.
Overall, this is a tablet-level camera, and if you plan to use your phone as your primary camera for the holidays, you won’t be pleased (and no one wants it). It will be acceptable to scan the QR code or take a picture: schematics or other types of documentation.
Additionally, the Toughbook FZ-T1 is MIL-STD-810G certified, so high and low temperatures operating range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, sand, dust, explosive atmospheres, humidity, vibration (including transporting loose cargo), shock, freezing rain, acid atmosphere, etc.
As expected, the Toughbook FZ-T1 is rated IP66 and IP68 for water and dust resistance, allowing it to submerge at 5 feet for about 30 minutes. Inside the case, the Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1 is equipped with a quad-core Qualcomm 210 MSM8909 chipset with clock speeds of up to 1.1 GHz, an integrated Adreno 304 graphics card, 16 GB of eMMC storage memory, and 2 GB of RAM.
You can add up to 64GB using a microSD card. The ToughPad FZ-T1 runs Android 8.1 Oreo and is an exciting choice. Android OS will feel more comfortable for most users, and I don’t think any unique apps are needed for this portable, rugged device.
One of the most important aspects of any smartphone or tablet is battery life. The FZ-T1 has a replaceable and hot-swappable 3,200 mAh battery. Additionally, the Toughbook FZ-T1 takes approximately 2.5 hours to charge the battery from 0% to 100%, which may take longer depending on ambient temperature.
Rugged phones are generally niche devices as they don’t follow the same guidelines as regular smartphones, but the Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1 even narrows it down to its target audience.
More specifically, it belongs to a warehouse with industrial workers, and it is highly doubtful that we will ever see an active man running with this mammoth tied to his arm.
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-T1 is at the pinnacle of ruggedness. It has a shock-resistant screen, a case that can handle almost anything you throw at it, and some cool features (suitable for industrial environments).
However, it has some drawbacks, as the software is a bit outdated, the camera has nothing to brag about, and the front-facing camera is entirely missing. The device is thick, and its most significant drawback is its high price.
- Latest fully rugged handheld phone
- IP66 and IP68 for water & dust resistance
- Qualcomm 210 MSM8909 chipset
- Best phone for industrial us
Conclusion
It’s not hard to find the best value-for-money rugged smartphone on the market, but there are a few things to consider, such as water resistance. The waterproof function must be at least IP68 to withstand water for up to 30 minutes.
Also, get your hands on a sturdy phone with something on top to protect it if it is dropped face down. On the other hand, the bezel should be large enough for other phones. This means that the display can be used even after cracked edges.
FAQs
What is a rugged phone?
Rugged phones are enhanced versions of regular smartphones or flip phones. Rugged phones have undergone a rigorous design process, making them more resistant to liquids, dust, dirt, drops, shocks, and extreme temperatures.
They’re often tested for durability to military standards, so you can be confident that your new phone can handle almost anything you’ll encounter on your outdoor adventures.
What is an unbreakable phone?
Cat is one of the most well-known rugged phone companies, certainly built the S61 with durability in mind. The device has many unbreakable valuable sensors, which you won’t find on other phones.
Does Motorola have a solid phone?
Motorola has designed a new Defy rugged, water-resistant, dustproof, and drop-resistant smartphone. They also say it will continue to work in extreme temperatures of 55°C/131°F to -25°C/-13°F.
Will Motorola Defy have 5G?
The Motorola Defy does not have 5G mobile internet, only 4G and below. However, the improved version of Motorola Defy (2024) will have 5G.
What is the most rugged Samsung phone?
The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is the best-rugged phone for brand loyalty. It has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and military-grade shock and drop resistance. It also supports Samsung DeX so you can use it with an external monitor for a PC-like experience.
Are rugged smartphones expensive?
The prices of rugged smartphones are higher than others; however, that depends on the model. They are generally more durable and resistant to harsh conditions, making them more costly than regular smartphones.
What is the toughest phone on the market?
The Sonim XP3300 Force is officially inducted into the Guinness World Record Hall of Fame as the world’s most durable phone. This ultra-rugged phone survived an extreme drop test on concrete from 25 meters high, a drop higher than a 10-story building, with no operational damage.
Is the Samsung XCover Pro 5G?
XCover Pro currently does not support a 5G internet connection. Meanwhile, the cost-effective alternative is expected to be Samsung’s first smartphone that supports 5G connectivity.
Do I need a case for your cat, S62 Pro?
No, you don’t need it because the CAT S62 Pro is an industrial phone that fits in a sturdy case. The raised texture feels snug and provides a more stable grip.
