Extreme durability, massive batteries and specific features, are some of the options the best smartphones offer on the market for intensive use, in the next list you can found the rugged smartphones that are water and dust-resistant, or even waterproof, using strong cases that resist drops on hard surfaces, also some of them can survive any impact, bump or drop. Some of the phones on the list have undergone strict testing to ensure they meet standards, and withstand weather, shock, and more.Â
Also, we can see that the Software in these smartphones is very important, some can have infrared cameras, sound level meters, and sometimes even VOC (volatile organic compound) detectors. In case you need to go to wild or dangerous places you can check for the best smartphone that can help you with the best features, also you can make sure to check out all the features that these phones offer as well as ruggedness as per your needs. Let’s start with the list of the best smartphones!
Nokia XR20
- Weight: 248g
- Dimensions: 171.6 x 81.5 x 10.6mm
- OS: Android 11
- Screen size: 6.67-inch
- Resolution: 2400×1080
- CPU: Qulacomm Snapdragon 4800 / Adreno 619
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB
- Battery: 4,630mAh
- Rear camera: 48MP + 13MP
- Front camera: 8MP
You can buy this smartphone because it has an IP65 certified and dedicated emergency button and works fine for security purposes, however, it also has low storage and you can’t customize the Google Assistant button.
With the collaboration of HMD Global, Nokia launches this rugged smartphone with a slim profile and elegant appearance, it is IP68 certified, MIL-STD-810 rated and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The device was also guaranteed to get four years of security updates and three years of operating system updates, with a free screen replacement for one year. In case you want to check for other Nokia smartphone options.Â
Ulefone Armor 9 FLIR rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 6.3-inch
- Resolution: 2340 x 1080 pixels
- CPU: Helio P90
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 6,600mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 5MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 8MP
This smartphone has a great price, and Endoscope and FLIR cameras, also it works fine to use for a wide range of tasks, however, it has no VOC sensor and only 128GB storage.Â
This phone has a built-in endoscope and FLIR camera, with a long battery life and a great processor for all the tasks you need to accomplish. Its price is not that high, so it is a great option.
Blackview BV9900 Pro rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 5.84-inch
- Resolution: 2280 x 1080 pixels
- CPU: Helio P90
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4,380mAh
- Rear camera: 48MP + 16MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
It has a great price for you and is the best for a FLIR thermal imaging camera, however, it has no 5G and the battery capacity is smaller. Adding to its FLIR thermal imaging camera, this smartphone also has a 48MP camera that is very useful for photography. It also features a MediaTek Helio G90 chipset and 8GB RAM.
Doogee S97 Pro rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 11
- Screen size: 6.39-inch
- Resolution: 1560 x 720 pixels
- CPU: Mediatek Helio G95
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 8,500mAh
- Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
This smartphone is the best for speed, with a laser rangefinder and huge battery, however, the screen resolution is low and it is heavy. The new smartphone includes a laser rangefinder to calculate volumes, surface areas, and angles, as well as an 8,500 mAh battery. Despite weighing 350g, it handles very well thanks to its curved edges and bright display, along with two customizable buttons, a fingerprint reader, and four camera sensors on the back.
Ulefone Armor 10 rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 6.6-inch
- Resolution: 2400 x 1080 pixels
- CPU: Dimensity 800
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 5,800mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
Not only the best 5G connectivity but also this smartphone includes great cameras and an excellent build quality, however, the 5G is costly and the camera bump protrudes.Â
The first rugged smartphone compatible with 5G, has wireless charging, and also very good quality cameras. The size can be a bit big for some users and even the storage can be a bit small, but it’s still a great option.
Unihertz Atom XL rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 4-inch
- Resolution: 1136 x 640 pixels
- CPU: Helio P60
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4300mAh
- Rear camera: 48MP
- Front camera: 8MP
The best all-rounder, includes an oleophobic screen and a main camera of 48MP, despite having an old CPU and no cover for ports. Atom phones tend to be small, including this larger version with a 4-inch display, but it’s still a great option that packs a 4,300mAh battery, 48MP camera, and 6GB of RAM
Cat S62 Pro rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 5.6-inch
- Resolution: 2160 x 1080 pixels
- CPU: Snapdragon 660
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4000mAh
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front camera: 8MP
Despite its 12MP rear camera and no wireless charging, it was built to last and runs Android 10, as well as a Snapdragon 660 chipset, an FHD display, and 128GB storage. This smartphone also includes an additional programmable button on the side and a FLIR sensor
Oukitel WP8 Pro rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 6.49-inch
- Resolution: 1560 x 720 pixels
- CPU: Helio P22
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear camera: 16MP + 2MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 8MP
It has an elegant design and oleophobic screen, despite having a MicroUSB port and sub-par performance.The corners has a micro-USB port, resulting in slower charging than the current USB-C standard, with low-end processor for limited performance power, but still a good option on the market for a phone.
Doogee S90 rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 8.1
- Screen size: 6.18-inch
- Resolution: 2246 x 1080 pixels
- CPU: MT6771 (P60) 4*Cortex-A73 2.0GHz + 4*Cortex-A53 2.0Ghz
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 5050mAh
- Rear camera: 16+8MP
- Front camera: 8MP
The best modular rugged smartphone even though the screen has a notch and a bulky design it has a good value for money and impressive performance. Priced at $369.99 (£285), gamepad and wireless charger will cost $29.99 (£23) each, battery $39.99 (£31), intercom $49.99 (£39) and the night vision camera for $59.99 (£46).
Blackview BV9500 Pro rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 8.1
- Screen size: 5.7-inch
- Resolution: 2160 x 1080 pixels
- CPU: MT6763T Octa Core
- RAM: 6GBStorage: 128GB
- Battery: 10000mAh
- Rear camera: 13MP
- Front camera: 16MP
It is the best for top-end budgets, with a very long battery life, and fast and wireless charging, even if the phone is heavy and bulky and the sound quality is not the best. This smartphone includes PTT (push to talk) for walkie-talkie style communication, among other features that work perfect for use in outdoor situations.
Blackview BV8800 rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 11 (Doke OS 3.0)
- Screen size: 6.58-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2408
- CPU: MT6781 Octa Core
- RAM: 8GBStorage: 128GB
- Battery: 8380mAh
- Rear camera: Quad camera (50MP+20MP+8MP+2MP) with Night vision mode
- Front camera: 16MP
With a great value for money, this is the best for budget option, including an excellent battery life, however, this smartphone is heavy and has a widevine L3, still, it has four rear cameras and a massive 8380mAh battery, as well as the BV8800 is IP68 and IP69K certified, MIL-STD-810 rated and can withstand submersion for 30 minutes up to 1.5m.
Likewise, this smartphone has a camera that can record in complete darkness, as well as 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, also Doke 3.0 operating system that is based on Android 11, despite these features, Netflix streaming services, Google o Amazon limits streaming resolution to 480p.
UleFone Power Armor 14 Pro rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 12
- Screen size: 6.52-inch
- Resolution: 720 x 1600
- CPU: MediaTek Helio G85 Octa Core 2.0GHz
- RAM: 6GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB (microSD memory card Up to 1TB)
- Battery: 10000 mAh
- Rear camera: Triple camera (20MP + 2MP + 2MP) SONY IMX350 Sensor
- Front camera: 16 MP SONY IMX481 Sensor
This is a big smartphone and heavy, also lacks 5G technology, however, it offers a battery of 10,000 mAh and IP68 and IP69K. the ability to increase storage by another 1TB via a Micro SD card. With the rubber gaskets covering the USB-C port and 3.5mm audio jacks in place, it can run for up to 30 minutes fully submerged up to 1.5m, as well as take photos underwater, despite only having up to 1080p resolution and not supporting Widevine L1 encryption standards for streaming.
Doogee S98 rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 12
- Screen size: 6.3-inch
- Resolution: 2340×1080
- CPU: Helio G96
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Battery: 6000mAh
- Rear camera: Triple camera (64MP + 20MP +8MP)
- Front camera: 16MP
This smartphone includes the latest version of Android, and corning Gorilla glass, however, the fingertip reader is separate and the secondary display is gimmicky at best, and no 5G.Still, this phone has a night vision camera and a 64 megapixel camera sensor and its USP is a 1.2-inch circular screen on the back, at less than $260 at the time of testing it has a good quality -price.Â
Jesy J20 rugged smartphone
- OS: Android 11
- Screen size: 6.3-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2340
- CPU: MT6833 Octa Core
- RAM: 8GBStorage: 128GB
- Battery: 5700mAh
- Rear camera: Triple camera (48MP + 20MP +1.9MP) with night vision
- Front camera: 16MP
Like other smartphones we can see in this list, this one also has only 480p for streaming, and 1080p for video, however, this phone includes wireless charging and 48MP camera and night vision.Â
Blackview BL8800
This is a good smartphone with 5G and IR camera, also includes an excellent design, night vision camera, despite does not have a microSD card slot, and can not be charging wireless. It also has a great screen for work or entertainment, as well as a great battery and it’s fast for the tasks you want to do, with a price of $300 after the promotional period, which if it stays that way, it would be a very good option of purchase.
Doogee S98 Pro
This smartphone is the best for thermal imaging, also has corning Gorilla glass, infrared camera, and a great value for money, however, it does not have 5G and the free case is not the best. The camera sensor offers a 25Hz refresh rate, with wide thermal coverage (up to 550 degrees) with an accuracy of just two degrees. Likewise, it has a Full HD + screen, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of integrated storage, a 6 Ah battery, and its front camera is 16Mp.
Ulefone Armor 15
A phone with hidden earbuds, this smartphone has Android 12 and IP68 and IP69K, despite it does not include 4K video, it is only for 480p streaming and the battery is 6,600 mAh. It has eight cores, 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, but Armor 15 is not a great performer, despite its hidden earbuds it is only 4G. If its price were cheaper, it would be a great purchase option for outdoor use.
