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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
