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What is a rugged phone and which are the best?
Most of today's modern smartphones are built with glass backs to match the glass display, but glass makes a phone susceptible to damage if dropped. Phone manufacturers and wireless carriers are more than happy to sell you insurance in case of breakage, but there is another option available to you.
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You can pay $50 or more for a rugged case to wrap around your flagship phone. These cases usually come with some level of drop protection (6 to 13 feet), but even so, this case/phone combination has not been put through the MIL-STD 810G range of tests that we find in nearly every rugged phone on this list.
Most rugged phones are more affordable than flagship phones, as they are not outfitted with high-end cameras and other advanced technology. Given their price and utility, these options are great to designate as work or outdoor adventure phones, and they can withstand inclement winter weather. Plus, you can keep a flagship at home to pop your SIM card into when you want the latest and greatest in mobile technology.
The material around a rugged phone display ensures a better chance of screen survival when dropped -- but rugged phones aren't indestructible. Still, if they do break, you are out less money than if your flagship phone were to suffer a cracked display.
The following phones are all designed to withstand the elements with high IP ratings for dust and water resistance, in addition to durability characteristics that meet MIL-STD 810G standards.
Also: The best rugged laptops
- Sleek
- Reliable fingerprint sensor
- Reasonable price
- Two-year warranty
- Limited RAM and internal storage
- Android 11 OS
Tech specs: Display: 6.1 inches (2,400 x 1,080-pixel resolution), IPS LCD | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 | RAM: 4GB | Internal Storage: 64GB | Rear cameras: 48MP f/1.8 wide angle and 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera (117-degree field-of-view) | Front camera: 8MP f/2.0 | Battery: 4500 mAh | Weight: 185g
Rugged phones are built to withstand the elements of field work, and with the new Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW, we get the additional support of Verizon's 5G network. Plus, it's much sleeker than the DuraForce Ultra that Kyocera previously offered for Verizon customers.
The Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW, priced at $400, is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, two rear cameras, 6.1-inch IPS LCD Gorilla Glass 6 display, and a large capacity 4,500 mAh battery. It supports wireless charging, so you don't need to remove the bottom USB-C port plug to top it off.
The phone is designed to endure rough handling with IP68 dust/water resistance, MIL-STD 810H shock test certification, and action overlay data designed to enhance your outdoor adventures. The Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW just arrived in our ZDNET expert hands, and we're working on a full review, so stay tuned.
- Sleek design
- Affordable
- Customizable hardware buttons
- Capable dual rear cameras
- Removable battery and microSD card slot
- Limited RAM and internal storage
- Samsung DeX not supported
Tech specs: Display: 6.3 inches (2,340 x 1,080-pixel resolution) | CPU: Samsung Exynos 9611 | RAM: 4GB | Internal Storage: 64GB with microSD | Rear cameras: 25MP f/1.7 wide angle and 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera | Front camera: 13MP f/2.0 | Battery: 4050 mAh | Weight: 218g
Unlike bulky rugged phones of the past, the XCover Pro has the same dimensions as standard smartphones while offering better protection from the elements and accidents. It's powered by a Samsung Exynos 9611 processor with a 6.3-inch display, dual rear cameras, and more.
Read the review: Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro review
Rugged features include MIL-STD 810G 1.5m drop test certification, IP68 dust- and water-resistant rating, a large capacity 4,050mAh removable battery, and Pogo Pin support for accessories.
It also supports Push-To-Talk with upcoming support for Microsoft Teams.
- Compact
- Affordable
- Multi-day battery life
- Stock Android software
- Basic camera performance
- Limited software updates
Tech specs: Display: 4.0 inches (1,136 x 640-pixel resolution) | CPU: MediaTek Helio P60 | RAM: 6GB | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD | Rear camera: 48MP camera | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4,300 mAh | Weight: 224.5g
The Unihertz Atom XL is an affordable, capable rugged phone. The most unique aspect of this Android smartphone? It is tiny, so it fits well in a pocket out in the field.
The Unihertz Atom XL features a 4-inch display, and it's powered by Android 10 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. It also has an IP68 rating along with MIL-STD 810G certification. Plus, the 4,300mAh battery keeps the phone powered all day long.
The Unihertz Atom XL also supports Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) so you can use the phone with the included antenna as a walkie-talkie when cellular connectivity isn't available. The walkie-talkie capability is an excellent feature for those working or playing outdoors.
Read the review: Unihertz Atom XL review
- Physical keyboard with trackpad capability
- Affordable
- Long battery life
- IR, NFC, and FM radio
- Not water-resistant
- Display too small for aging eyes
- Mediocre camera performance
Tech specs: Display: 3.1 inches (720 x 716-pixel resolution) | CPU: MediaTek Helio P70 | RAM: 6GB | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD | Rear cameras: 16MP camera | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4000 mAh | Weight: 216g
The original Unihertz Titan was a very large rugged phone with a Qwerty keyboard, but it was simply too large for practical daily usage. Unihertz launched a small model, the Unihertz Titan Pocket, that seems like a rugged BlackBerry Bold.
Some people in the field prefer to enter text on a phone with a physical keyboard, and the Unihertz Titan Pocket provides a Qwerty keyboard for a very reasonable $299.99 price.
This model features a 4.5-inch display along with 6GB of RAM, 128GB internal storage, and a 16MP rear camera. While it's still a hefty phone weighing 303g, if you want a BlackBerry-esque keyboard then this is the phone for you.
Read the review: Unihertz Titan Pocket review
- FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal camera
- Fully rugged (IP68/69 and MIL-810H)
- Manageable size
- Solid battery life
- Enterprise-ready features
- No air quality sensor or distance tool from S61
- Mid-range performance
Tech specs: Display: 5.7 inches (2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution) | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 | RAM: 6GB | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD | Rear cameras: 12MP f/1.8 with Lepton 3.5 FLIR camera | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4000 mAh | Weight: 248g
Support for thermal cameras is a great function we have seen in some Cat phones. A thermal camera is a perfect tool for fieldwork, whether you're scanning for hot spots in a switchboard, or seeking them out in an emergency.
The Cat S62 Pro has a 5.7-inch display with glove mode, IP68 dust/water resistance, MIL-STD 810H drop test up to 1.8 meters, and more. Plus, this model features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and Android 10. It's priced at $649.
The FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal camera is the star of the show with the ability to measure temperatures between -20 degrees Celsius and 400 degrees Celsius.
Read the review: Cat S62 Pro review
What is the best rugged phone?
My pick for the best rugged phone is the Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW. It features a 6.1-inch Gorilla Glass display, IP68 water and dust resistance, and military-grade shock resistance. It also has a picture-in-picture camera mode, so outdoor sports enthusiasts can capture exciting video content. You can also take advantage of the Bike Mode, which connects to fitness apps for detailed health and performance tracking.
Best rugged phone | Price | Display size | Storage |
Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW | $400 | 6.1. inches | 64GB |
Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro | $300 | 6.3 inches | Up to 64GB with microSD |
Unihertz Atom XL | $330 | 4 inches | Up to 128GB with microSD |
Unihertz Titan Pocket | $300 | 3.1 inches | Up to 128GB with microSD |
Cat S62 Pro | $556 | 5.7 inches | Up to 16GB with microSD |
Which rugged phone is right for you?
All of these phones are powered by Android OS, so there's no choice on the operating system. If you are reading this list, you are probably interested in a rugged phone that can survive drops and water drunks when you're working outside.
The first thing to look for is a unique element hat may be specific to your work. For example, do you need a FLIR thermal imaging camera, a night vision camera, or a phone with a Qwerty keyboard? Check out the unique features and see if any apply to your needs.
The next thing is to check the price, since these rugged phones range from just over $300 to nearly $600.
Choose this best rugged phone | If you want or are… |
Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW | A well-rounded, rugged phone for everyday use |
Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro | A tough smartphone for field work |
Unihertz Atom XL | A smartphone that works as a 2-way radio in emergencies |
Unihertz Titan Pocket | A rugged, Blackberry-style phone |
Cat S62 Pro | A durable phone with a thermal camera |
How did we choose these rugged phones?
We tested the phones for weeks, read reviews from other websites and publications, researched review guides and manufacturer websites, talked with colleagues and other users who have hands-on experience with the smartphones, and then selected the best rugged phones on the market.
Which one is your personal favorite?
I've enjoyed testing most of these phones, but I keep coming back to the Cat S62 Pro, because of its thermal imaging camera capability. For my specific work needs, the thermal imaging is something that stands out from the rest of the phones.
I also enjoy using the Unihertz phones because they are affordable and reliable, but they are also a bit bulky. I look forward to seeing a future Unihertz model that is sleek like the Kyocera DuraSport.
What is a rugged phone?
A rugged phone is a toughened version of a typical smart or flip phone. Rugged phones have undergone a rigorous design process to make them more resistant to liquids, dirt, dust, drops, shocks, and extreme temperatures.
They're often tested against military standards for durability, so you can rest assured that your new phone can handle just about anything you'll encounter on an outdoor adventure.
Is it better to just buy a rugged case?
Rugged phones are not only hard to find, they're also expensive when compared to basic smart or flip phones. And if you're an Apple brand loyalist, a rugged case is your best option to protect your phone, since the company has yet to make a toughened version of the iPhone.
There are lots of options out there for weatherized and ruggedized cases, and the Otterbox brand is one of the most popular. The Otterbox Defender Series XT case for the iPhone 13 Pro features two layers of protection against drops and shocks, as well as port covers that are designed to keep water and dirt out of buttons and charging ports. It's also compatible with MagSafe chargers and accessories, so you don't have to sacrifice convenience for protection.
What is the most rugged Samsung Phone?
In my opinion, the Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro is the best rugged phone for brand loyalists. It features IP68-rated water and dust resistance as well as military-grade shock and drop resistance. It even supports Push-to-Talk, so you can use it as a 2-way radio when you can't connect to LTE service.
Are there alternative rugged phones worth considering?
While it isn't as easy to find a rugged phone as it is a rugged phone case, there are still lots of options out there. Here's a short list of other rugged phones that are also worth considering: