For those with a demanding job or lifestyle with constant exposure to environmental hazards, a rugged smartphone with military-grade protection may be the best option. A rugged smartphone is also a smart choice to use as a second phone when traveling. Ruggedized smartphone models meet military testing standards for protection against shock, water, dust, extreme temperatures, and vibration. They are water-resistant and can withstand submersion in shallow water for a limited time. When using a rugged smartphone, keep in mind that while these phones have been tested to military-specified standards, care should still be taken as glass screens can crack and drop test ratings do not guarantee you will always have the same results in the real world. Here are the best rugged smartphones for 2018 that are available unlocked. The following phones will work on GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile but not CDMA carriers like Sprint and Verizon.
Ulefone Armor 2
Best Value Rugged Smartphone
The Ulefone Armor 2 is part of the new generation of rugged phones that offer significant upgrades over their predecessors without breaking the bank. This 5.0-inch, dual-sim phone runs Android 7.0 Nougat and is powered by an octo-core 2.6GHz Helio P25 CPU with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. With its expected IP68-rating, the Armor 2 can be submersed up to one meter underwater for an hour and is resistant to dust, dirt, and sand. The screen is full HD 1920×1080 constructed of Gorilla Glass 3 and the 4700mAh battery ensures all-day operation. The 16MP-rear and 13MP-front cameras allow underwater shooting with the waterproof shutter button. Other modern features include a front fingerprint sensor and USB Type-C port. Unique outdoor features include a barometer sensor and SOS button.
PROS: Good all-around specs, affordable price, high-quality rugged exterior
CONS: Somewhat heavy at 270 grams
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Also Consider: The Blackview BV8000 Pro is another recent phone with very similar specs to the Armor 2. We recommend the Armor 2 over it because the BV8000 Pro does not have a sealed charging port. Although the port is waterproof, it needs to be completely dried out before charging otherwise damage can occur. The BV8000 Pro also has a slightly inferior CPU and the exterior appears to be less rugged.
DOOGEE S60
Rugged Smartphone with Wireless Charging
The DOOGEE S60 is another current-generation rugged phone that has similar specs as the Ulefone Armor 2 and surpasses it in a few areas. Like the Armor 2 it is an IP68-rated dual SIM phone running Android 7.0 with the same CPU and memory setup and a fingerprint sensor. What differentiates it is the larger 5.2 FHD display with Gorilla Glass 5, the 21MP rear camera with a larger Sony IMX 230 sensor, 5580mAh battery, and wireless charging. Also the S60 has a traditional headphone jack while the Armor 2 requires a USB Type-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter cable (which is included). Unlike the Armor 2’s USB Type-C it has a micro USB charging port. DOOGEE is an obscure brand in the west but user reviews of its non-rugged phones have been favorable.
PROS: Good specs, good camera, big battery, wireless charging
CONS: On the pricier side for a budget phone
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CAT S41
Rugged and Waterproof Smartphone With A Clean Design
The S41 is one of CAT’s latest models featuring significant upgrades over the previous S40. Featuring a full HD 5-inch screen with Gorilla Glass 5, the S41 is powered by a MediaTek P20 octa-core 2.3GHz CPU running Android 7.0 with 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM. It has a 13 MP camera with LED flash and a large 5000 mAh battery that can be used to charge other devices. The S41 is waterproof up to 2 meters deep for 1 hour and drop-proof to 1.8 meters. The S41 is compliant with MIL SPEC 810G standards and is designed to withstand thermal shocks and salt mist spray, making it one of the most rugged phones available. For a more affordable option, the CAT S31 offers a 4.7-inch 1280×720 HD screen, Qualcomm MSM8909 quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, and 4000 mAh battery, but it lacks NFC like the S41.
PROS: Very rugged exterior and excellent water resistance, decent specs
CONS: No fingerprint sensor, more expensive than the competition
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AGM X2
Rugged Smartphone with Dual Rear Cameras
If photo quality is important then the AGM X2 should be at the top of your list. As is becoming the trend with many mainstream flagship phones, this IP68-rated smartphone has a dual-camera setup with two 12MP Sony IMX386 1.25-micron large-pixel rear cameras, with monochrome and RGB sensors to capture more light and details. This camera setup allows the user to create photos with the “bokeh” blurred-background DSLR effect. The phone also has a 16MP Samsung S5K3P3 front camera for superior selfies. The MIL-STD-810G-compliant phone can handle water immersion up to 1.5 meters deep but it also has a patented floating module that prevents the phone from sinking. Other notable features include a 5.5-inch AMOLED full HD display with Gorilla Glass 5, 6000mAh battery, QUALCOMM MSM8976SG Octa Core with Android 7.1, 6GB RAM/64GB ROM, fingerprint sensor, air pressure sensor (altimeter/barometer), VOC (volatile organice compound) sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB Type-C port.
PROS: The best camera on a rugged smartphone, AMOLED display, huge battery, it floats
CONS: Unknown drop test rating
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CAT S61
Rugged Smartphone with Thermal Imaging, Laser Measurement, Air Quality Sensor
The new CAT S61 has the thermal imaging camera like the S60 and also includes a laser-assisted distance measurement function and an indoor air quality monitor, making it useful for construction work and industrial settings. Other improvements include a Qualcomm SD630 Octacore 2.2GHz CPU, Android Oreo, 4GB RAM/64GB ROM, 4500mAh battery (Quick Charge 4.0 compatible), shock resistance (1.8m drop tested), Super Bright 5.2” Display (Full HD 1920×1080), Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 16MP rear camera with dual LED flash, and 8MP front camera. The S61 features IP68 & IP69 dust and water resistance, extreme temperature resistance, vibration resistance, and MIL-SPEC-810G Category 4 Resistant to humidity and salt mist. The S61 offers significant upgrades over the S60 but comes at a significantly higher cost with a list price of $999 USD.
PROS: Unique specialty features, latest Android Oreo OS, big upgrades over S60
CONS: Very expensive
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DOOGEE S55
Rugged Smartphone with Dual Rear Cameras and Android 8
Despite the model number, the DOOGEE S55 is actually a newer model than the DOOGEE S60. As such it runs Android 8.0 but is a more budget-oriented phone than the S60. It has a larger 5.5-inch screen but a lower resolution (720 x 1440) with Gorilla Glass 3 (versus the S60’s Gorilla Glass 5). The S55 also has a slower 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 quad-core GPU and an inferior GPU as well. We recommend the S60 over the S55, but the S55 is a decent IP68 water-resistant and dual-sim rugged smartphone that would be a good budget option for travel or casual use.
PROS: Low price, large 5500mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, dual rear cameras
CONS: Not readily available in western markets
Ulefone Armor
Budget Rugged Smartphone
The Ulefone Armor proved that you no longer have to sacrifice features or pay a premium for a decent rugged phone. The IP68-rated phone runs Android 6.0 with an octa-core MT6753 1.3GHz CPU, 3GB RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 3500mAh battery. The 4.7″ 1280×720 Gorilla Glass 3 touchscreen is operable when wet. The Armor can withstand immersion in water up to 1.2 meters for 30 minutes and is capable of taking pictures underwater with its 13MP rear camera. The dual-SIM phone is only 12.5mm thick and has physical navigation keys under the screen. The Armor can handle any outdoor environment with its operating temperature range of -40°C to 80°C. A unique feature for outdoor use is the SOS key which will send an emergency call and message with your GPS information to a designated contact. Other features include 4G compatibility, NFC, flash, and a compass sensor.
PROS: Full-featured, slim design, attractive price
CONS: Not widely available, unknown drop test results
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Sonim XP7
Most Rugged Smartphone
Sonim is a serious player in the rugged mobile industry, holding the Guinness World Record for highest mobile phone drop (25 meters) with its XP3300 Force. The Android-powered Sonim XP7 features industrial-level toughness and is the most rugged smartphone on the market. It offers excellent shock and water resistance and the 4″ touchscreen can be operated with gloves. The XP7 is rugged enough for industrial workplace use and is resistant to petroleum oils and cleaning solvents. It is also suitable for use in the snow or around saltwater. Operating temperature is -4°F to 131°F and it is also resistant to vibration. The XP7 has an extremely loud 103 dB speaker. It also has a 4800mAh battery that will last for days but some may have trouble accepting its low-resolution WVGA 480 x 800 display. The XP7 includes a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty that also covers accidental damage (requires product registration). The Sonim XP7 is the best choice when durability is the first priority but it comes at a significant cost.
Update: Sonim released the XP8 which is currently available from AT&T.
PROS: extremely rugged, 103 dB speaker, large battery
CONS: small low-res display, heavy (290 grams), expensive
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Other Rugged Smartphones To Consider:
CAT S60
Rugged Smartphone with Thermal Imaging Camera
The rugged CAT S60 was the world’s first smartphone featuring a thermal imaging camera. This technology by FLIR has many applications for work and around the home such as finding gaps in insulation, electrical faults, and monitoring the performance of machinery. It can also be used to check gas cylinder levels for barbecue tanks or to explore the outdoors at night. The thermal image camera is capable of taking photos, videos, and time-lapse footage. Like the rest of the CAT S series of phones, the S60 is rugged and waterproof can withstand drops up to 1.8 meters. In terms of water-resistance, the S60 has a Lockdown Switch that allows the phone to survive underwater up to a depth of 5 meters for 60 minutes. The S60 is also designed to take photos and videos underwater, and can be used with gloves or wet fingers. The phone is reinforced with a die-cast frame and other rugged features include extreme temperature resistance from -25°C (-13°F) to 55°C (131°F) and resistance to vibration. Other features include a large 3800mAh battery, 4.7″ 1280×720 Corning Gorilla Glass 4 touchscreen, 13 MP autofocus rear camera, 5 MP front camera, NFC, and GPS. The processor is a Qualcomm MSM8952-3 (4 x 1.5GHz + 4 x 1.2GHz) with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage. The 3800mAh battery combined with the 1280×720 screen gives the S60 excellent battery life.
PROS: First smartphone with thermal imaging camera, underwater camera, Android 6.0, 3800mAh battery, 32GB storage
CONS: Expensive
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CAT S40
The CAT S40 has an IP68 rating and is tested to withstand 6-foot drops and submersion in water up to 1 meter for 60 minutes. It is also dustproof and passes MIL-STD-810G endurance tests for shock and drop, operating temperature (-13°F to 131°F), and vibration (Category 4). The S40 has a quad-core 1.1GHz Cortex-A7 CPU with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It has an ultra-bright 4.7″ IPS display for viewing in the sun and Gorilla Glass 4 for scratch protection. The touchscreen can be operated with gloves on. The battery is relatively large at 3000mAh. Although its 540 x 960 qHD screen is not competitive with newer rugged smartphones, it will result in better battery life.
PROS: Gorilla Glass 4, 3000mAh battery
CONS: low-resolution display
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CAT S50
The CAT S50 looks similar to the CAT S40 but it is slightly less rugged with an IP67 rating. It has the one of the highest resolution displays on this list at 720×1280 but its 2630mAh the battery is smaller than the S40. It has a slightly faster CPU and 2GB of RAM versus 1GB on the S40. The 8GB of internal storage is the most glaring inferior spec on this phone, but it does have a microSD slot. If screen resolution is important then the S50 may be worth choosing over the S40. The newly launched CAT S50c adds push-to-talk capability but is only available on the Verizon network.
PROS: 720p HD display, competitive ruggedness, 2GB RAM
CONS: smallish battery, only 8GB internal storage
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Kyocera DuraForce E6560
The Kyocera DuraForce E6560 was a popular rugged smartphone on the AT&T network, and it is now available unlocked. The DuraForce is a great all-around choice featuring a 4.5″ IPS screen with 720×1280 HD resolution. Its IP68 rating allows it to handle water immersion up to 30 minutes and the touchscreen can be operated when wet or with gloves. It is MIL-STD-810G certified for protection against shock, vibration, extreme temperatures, blowing rain, salt fog, dust, and water.
The DuraForce is also designed for use in very loud environments such as construction sites or concerts. Its Smart Sonic Receiver technology sends vibrations directly to the eardrums and it has dual microphone noise cancellation, so you can use the phone even if the background noise is up to 100 decibels. The DuraForce also has a barometer sensor to measure atmospheric pressure, a useful feature for outdoor use to predict changes in weather. The DuraForce is surprisingly affordable but it doesn’t sacrifice features or durability for its lower price and it is a good choice for those who need a tough phone for work or those who enjoy spending time in the outdoors.
PROS: MIL-STD-810G, 3100mAh battery, barometer, programmable dedicated button
CONS: New model may be on the way
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Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro is a good choice for those looking for a small yet tough smartphone. The Galaxy Rugby Pro passes military tests for blowing rain and sand, high humidity and thermal shock. It is also shock and dust resistant and can handle submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The 4″ screen is scratch resistant. The Galaxy Rugby Pro does not have the best protection or advanced specs, but it is one of the more affordable rugged smartphones. It should satisfy those on a budget, as long as expectations for performance are kept in check.
PROS: small and lightweight, affordable
CONS: low-res 800 x 480 display, only 8GB internal storage, camera only 5MP, dated Android 4.0
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IP68 Water-Resistant Non-Rugged Smartphones
IP68 dust and water resistance is now a standard feature of some mid-range and high-end flagship smartphones. The following recommended phones do not have a rugged exterior case and drop protection, but do have IP68 dust and water resistance. However, it is recommended not to push this feature to the limit. Submersion and exposure to non-freshwater liquids should be avoided and the phone should not be charged when wet.
LG G6: IP68 Water-resistant up to 1.5 meter for 30 minutes. (Amazon)
LG V35 ThinQ: IP68 water-resistant (Amazon)
Moto X4: IP68 protected from accidental spills, splashes and even puddles. (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy Note 8: IP68 water-resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S8: IP68 water-resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S8+: IP68 water-resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S9: IP68 water-resistant (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S9+: IP68 water-resistant (Amazon)
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