Advances in technology over recent years has made smartphones slimmer and yet they are more powerful than ever before. While this is a good thing, contemporary development is that they have also been getting more fragile. Gone are the days when you could drop your phone on a rock and pick it up without a glitch, or are they? Join us as we take a close look at the toughest, most rugged smartphones of 2023.
For those who operate jobs with constant physical dangers, they may develop a preference for rugged phones. These smartphones are designed with extensive protections against vibrations, shock, dust, and temperature variations. Since they are usually designed for military use which also makes their performance relatively reliable.
Note: even unlocked, most of these phones will operate on only GSM carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T. they don’t support CDMA carriers like Verizon and Sprint.
Best Rugged Smartphone 2023
1. CAT S61
The S61 is a brilliant flagship device from CAT and is one of the most rugged high-performing phones of 2023. It weighs substantially at 259g but feels robust and solid. S61 packs both an IP69 and 810G certification making it capable of handling even high-pressure water jets. There is also a laser distance measuring tool together with an indoor air quality sensor attached.
Specs
- 64GB storage with 4GB RAM
- Android Oreo
- 8MP front and 16MP rear camera
- 6.2-inch display
- 1080p resolution
- 4500mAh battery
- Snapdragon 630 CPU
Pros
- The only design with IP69 rating
- Support for dual sims included
- Powerful battery
- Includes useful distance measuring tools and air quality sensors
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Price: View on Amazon
2. Ulefone Armor 6E
Of all the things that make up Ulefone’s Armor 6E, perhaps its most impressive feature is the Underwater Photography Mode. Its battery is an overpowered choice at 5000mAh while the glass touchscreen also doesn’t lack in durability. There is a unique UV sensor that also detects UV light levels.
Specs
- 4GB Ram with 64GB storage
- 6.2-inch screen
- 5000mAh battery
- Android Pie
- IP68 rating
- 2MP front and 16MP rear camera
- 1080p resolution
- Gorilla Glass 5 display
- USB-C
- Face unlock, fingerprint sensor, and wireless charging
- 19:9 FHD+
Pros
- Has all the features in slimmer models
- Affordable price-tag
- Modern look
- Durable and tough to an extreme
- MIL-STD-810G testing compliance
Cons
- Lacks a headphone jack
- Heavy and robust in size
Price: View on Amazon
3. Doogee S90
Unlike most other rugged phone design on the market, S90 is modular. The battery capacity is intense and the camera resolution fantastic. It has a higher than expected running costs even with the large battery and storage.
Specs
- 8MP front and 16+8MP rear camera
- 6.18-inch screen
- 128GB storage with 6GB RAM
- 1080p resolution
- 5050mAh battery
- Android Oreo
- 4*Cortex-A53 CPU.
Pros
- Best value for money
- The screen includes a notch
- Superb performance
- Cheaper options
- Significantly modular
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Too many CPU options
Price: View on Amazon
4. AGM X3
Specs
- Android Oreo
- 4100mAh battery
- 20MP front and 12MP rear cameras
- 64GB storage and 6GB RAM
- Snapdragon 845 chip
- 5.9-inch screen
- 1080p resolution
Pros
- Includes triple sensors
- Has an IP68 certificate
- Lighter than most competition
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Too small battery
- Still expensive and bulky
Price: View on Amazon
5. Blackview BV9500
BV9500 is light on features compared to other rugged smartphones but is a lot cheaper than them. The battery life is simply crazy and it includes a PTT walkie-talkie-style communication.
Specs
- 10000mAh battery
- 5.7-inch display
- 128GB storage and 6GB RAM
- Android Oreo
- 16MP front and 13MP rear cameras
- 1080p resolution
- Octa-Core MT6763T chip
Pros
- Ridiculous battery life
- Wireless charging with fast charge time
- Powerful storage
- Cheap
Cons
- Sound quality is spotty
- Bulky and heavy
Price: View on Amazon
6. Sonim XP8
Amongst other things, Sonim XP8 holds a world record for the highest mobile phone drop at XP3300. It is a good choice for the harsh environments of the industry with its hard and rubberized body design.
Specs
- Android 7.0
- IP68 rating
- FDH 5+ Gorilla Glass 3
- 49000mAh battery
- 100db+ speakers
- USB-C
- 64GB storage and 4GB RAM
- 8MP front and 12MP rear cameras
- Snapdragon 630 chip
- 1080p resolution
Pros
- Loudspeakers
- Battery is removable
- Reasonable price
- Shock resistant to an extreme
Cons
- Heavy and old-fashioned
Price: View on Amazon
7. AGM X2
X2 is a much more powerful if pricier option compared to AGM’s X1 model from early 2023. The CPU has been upgraded and the RAM increased to a manageable 6GB. X2’s battery capacity is also nothing to sneeze at, not to mention the included VOC detector and NFC.
Specs
- 6000mAh battery
- 5.5-inch display
- Android Nougat
- 16MP front and 12+12MP rear cameras
- 1080p resolution
- 128GB storage and 6GB RAM
- Snapdragon 635 chip
Pros
- Includes triple sensors
- Impressive runtime
- Powerful camera’s
- Triple sensors
Cons
- Only one 4G SIM is supported
- Expensive
Price: View on Amazon
8. CAT S41
With significant upgrades compared to CAT S40, S41 is a beast with waterproofing compliant with MIL-SPEC-810G standards. It is designed to withstand almost all possible industrial hazards.
Specs
- 5.5-inch HD screen
- 5000mAh battery capacity
- 32GB storage and 3GB RAM
- 1080p resolution
- Gorilla Glass 5
- Android 7.0
- 8MP front and 13MP rear cameras
- IP68 certificate
- Bluetooth 4.1
Pros
- Brilliant water resistance
- Moderate specifications
- Rugged exterior
- Trustworthy product from CAT
Cons
- Lacks fingerprint sensors
- Too expensive
Price: View on Amazon
9. Doogee S60
S60 from Doogee is unique since it supports a micro-USB connector in the place of a USB-C. The Gorilla Glass 5 screen makes it one of the hardest to crack and the Dual-sim standby is similarly attractive. It is loaded with sensors; from NFC to gyroscope, and sound level meters to barometers.
Specs
- 5580mAh battery
- 1080p resolution
- 6.2-inch display
- Android Nougat
- 8MP front and 21MP rear camera
- Helio P25 chip
- 64GB storage and 6GB RAM
Pros
- Too many sensors
- Affordable
- Dual-sim compatibility
- Super-hard screen
Cons
- Tacky look
- Heavy
Price: View on Amazon
10. Zebra TC75x
While TC75x brings the specifications of a mid-level smartphone to a rugged body, it is too expensive for most.
Specs
- 32GB storage and 4GB RAM
- Android Marshmallow
- Snapdragon 650 chip
- 4620mAH battery capacity
- 13MP rear and 5MP front camera
- 5.7-inch display
Pros
- Extreme sturdiness and ruggedness
- Impressive battery runtime
- Cutting-edge features
Cons
- Pricy
- OS is difficult to update
- Proprietary connectors
Price: View on Amazon