Rugged smartphones are nothing but a standard smartphone enclosed in a super protective and sturdy casing or covering that would shield the phone against not just dust or water but also extreme heat and cold temperatures.
These smartphones can take any trauma or shock when you drop it over a certain height which is not just limited to a few feets. Rugged smartphones aren’t usual drivers so you won’t see them at any park or mall where people are using it. Instead, it is used by the military, adventure junkies, and other sectors of people who want their phone to withstand any rough situations.
These rugged smartphones abide by the military standards so you can expect them to be exceptional. They also have additional features which include thermal imaging and air quality monitoring.
Also read: iPhone SE 2020 Launched!
Who uses rugged smartphones?
Well, there are many use cases where rugged smartphones are used, such as a hiker, climber, or someone who sails a lot or does any outdoor activities. Moreover, adventurists whose activities include water use them since they come with a certified water and dust resistant certification. Everyone who might be staying in harsh conditions might want to use rugged smartphones for their protection.
Advantages & Disadvantages of using a Rugged smartphone
Pros
- Water and Dust resistant
- Larger Battery size ranging between 4000 and 10,000mAh
- Features such as thermal imaging, air quality monitor, etc.
- Withstand extreme temperatures in hottest and coldest locations
- They are Shock-proof with various layers of protection
Cons
- These phones are chunky and heavy
- May not be appealing in terms of attractive looks
- Some of the essential features are compromised for water-resistance
Also read: Best Smartphones Under Rs. 30000
Best Rugged Smartphones You Can Buy in India
Finding an excellent rugged smartphone in India is a task since not every eCommerce or retail store has it and if they do, there’s aren’t many choices available. Here, we have looked around the internet to bring the best-rugged smartphones that you can buy in India, especially from Amazon since it appears no other eCommerce platform sells it.
Blackview BV9800 Pro
BlackView BV9800 Pro arrives with a massive 6.3-inch display on-board and runs on Android 9.0 Pie operating system. The device is powered by MediaTek Helio P70 processor and has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage that offers it immense power when compared to its predecessors. The device sports a massive 6,580 mAh battery capable of providing more than two days of battery life even on a heavy usage while light usage would give you a few days, to be honest. The device also sports a 16MP front and 48MP camera setup. In terms of protection, it has passed the MIL-STD-810G test and is ultimately IP68/IP69K rated where it can be immersed in 1.5m depth of water for up to 30min. Moreover, it comes with FLIR thermal imaging camera for night time, an IR Blaster, and free translation app.
Pros:
- Wireless Charging
- Powerful performance
- FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera
Cons:
- Bulky
- Sound Quality is average
Doogee S95 Pro
Talking about Doogee S95 Pro specifications, the device runs on a MediaTek Helio P90 processor under the hood coupled with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The device with a screen size of 6.3-inch has Android 9.0 Pie on-board along with a massive 5,150 mAh battery under the hood as well. The phone has a single 8MP sensor at the front along with a triple camera sensor, i.e. 48+8+8MP at the back. It is a rugged modular smartphone which comes with rubber frame over a metal chassis to provide ultimate rigidity. It has a fingerprint sensor, a dedicated SOS button and NFC. Most of the other features of this smartphone apart from protection include the usual smartphone features.
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Good performance
- Dual SIM card standby
Also read: Top Camera Smartphones
CAT S61
CAT S61 sports a massive 6.2-inch display with Android 8.0 Oreo on-board. The device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chip paired alongside 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The phone also has a front camera of 8MP and rear camera consisting of a single 16MP sensor. Furthermore, the device has a massive 4,500 mAh battery that will last for more than a day on moderate to heavy usage and can be extended to almost two days or more on light usage. For protection, it comes with both IP69 and MIL-STD 810G standards providing absolute protection and resistance against dust and water. It is capable of being operated at extreme industrial conditions and comes with additional features such as Indoor Air Quality Monitoring and FLIR Thermal Imaging camera. The chassis is made of metal with polycarbonate and rubber casing which enables to work in extreme temperatures as well.
Pros
- Supports Dual SIM cards
- Laser-assisted distance measurement
- Thermal Imaging Camera
Cons
- It is costly
- May show inaccuracy in temperature & measurement sometimes
Ulefone Armor 7
Ulefone Armor 7 arrives with the same MediaTek Helio P90 processor as the one listed above. It sports a 16MP front and 48+16+8MP rear camera setup. Talking about the display, the phone arrived with a 6.3-inch display coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Furthermore, the phone also sports a giant 5,500 mAh battery capable of producing backup for days. It also has an optimized Android 9.0 Pie on-board. Ulefone Armor 7 is made to perform excellently but also stand firm against any type of shock, trauma, water, or dust that might cause problems in any usual smartphone. Apart from that, the device meets MIL-STD-810G standards and is also compliant with IP68/IP69K that will allow you to use the phone even underwater without any potential damage.
Pros
- Good Performance
- NFC & wireless charging
- Dual 4G LTE standby
Cons
- The Lanyard
- Uncovered Type-C connector
- Protruded camera bump
Doogee S68 Pro
Doogee S68 Pro is a high-quality, rugged smartphone that packs in MediaTek Helio P70 processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage under its chassis. The device has a 5.9-inch display and runs on an optimized Android 9.0 Pie. Talking about the battery size, it is a massive 6,300 mAh battery that will last for two to three days on light to moderate usage while the 21+8+8MP rear camera setup will help take photos and store memories. There’s a 16MP front camera as well if you need it. This Android Pie-powered device is capable of enduring any conditions, thanks to its IP68 water resistance rating that will keep it protected even at a depth of 1.5 meters of water. It is a MIL-STD-810G compliant and meets IP69K temperature rating as well since it can withstand temperatures to a range of -40° C to 60° C. It has wireless and reverse-wireless charging on-board and comes with 360° protection.
Pros
- Meets MIL-STD-810G standards
- IP68/IP69K rating
- Wireless & reverse wireless charging
Cons
- No AMOLED display
- Over-processed photos
Also read: Best Smartphones with Zooming Capabilities
Ulefone Armor 6S
Ulefone Armor 6S arrives with a giant 6.2-inch display and has Android 9.0 Pie operating system. The phone has a MediaTek Helio P70 under its chassis alongside 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Furthermore, the device has a single 8MP front and dual 16+8MP rear camera setup. About the battery, it is significant at 5,000 mAh and is capable of providing backup for more than a day even on heavy to moderate usage. The phone offers resistance against all sorts of trauma, shock, and other extreme conditions like water or dust, thanks to its rigid metal frame with a rubberized back panel. It also has NFC as well as an ultraviolet light sensor, wireless charging and comes with IP68 certification. Moreover, it is MIL-STD-810G compliant and has been tested with drop-to-concrete resistance up to 1.2m.
Pros
- MIL-STD-810G compliant
- Ultraviolet light sensor, baroreceptor
- Good performance
Cons
- A bit bulky
BlackView BV9700 Pro
BlackView BV9700 Pro is the predecessor of BV9800 Pro and sports an average 5.84-inch display on-board. Under the hood is a MediaTek Helio P70 octa-core processor flanked by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The rear camera assembly is 16+8MP while the front has a single 8MP sensor. Lastly, the device has a more than average 4,380 mAh battery that will keep you backed up for hours, even on heavy usage. The phone is MIL-STD-810G compliant and meets both IP68 water and dust resistance and IP69K temperature resistance so you can use it anywhere you want in any condition may it be scorching and cold.
Pros
- Heart rate monitor
- Air Quality Monitor
- Good performance
Cons
- A bit heavy at 283g
- Slow Wi-Fi
- Average camera
CAT B35
CAT B35 is a high-calibre feature phone that has a 2.4” TFT display and runs on KaiOS. The phone has 4.5GB of internal storage alongside 512MB of RAM. Furthermore, the device has a Snapdragon 205 under the hood that will allow it to perform exhilaratingly fast. The phone also has a small 2MP sensor along with a 2,300 mAh battery inside its chassis that will allow it to run for days on a single charge. The CAT 35 is the staple of a rugged feature phone and is equipped with an IP68 rating that will prevent it from shutting when you dip or drop it underwater at up to 1.8 meters. It comes with a built-in browser, Google Maps and many other programs that will help you when you are stranded.
Pros
- Dual-band Wi-Fi & 4G LTE connection
- IP68 rating
- Google Maps pre-installed
Cons
- Not IP68 rated until the covers are sealed
- It is a chunky feature phone.
While there are tons of devices that you can pick, rugged smartphones are a different lineup of smartphones that are made to last longer, withstand shocks, trauma, and more. All these phones meet the United States Military standard “MIL-STD-810G” while many of them have IP68, IP69K rating as well to ward off the water out of the system.
You can choose any of the rugged smartphones above as they are all available in India and can be of great use especially if you are into adventure sports or any professional activity where conventional smartphones might not be a feasible option.
Update(Jan 2021)
AGM X3 Smartphone
AGM X3 is the latest rugged smartphone which combines style with features. it is a premium quality phone which has a lot of features. This phone is appropriate for use in extreme weather conditions. AGM X3 has an android version of 8.1. It has a snapdragon 845 processor which makes it a really fast phone.
AGM X3 has a resolution of 2160 * 850 pixels. The screen size is 5.9 inches which makes the resolution decent for the phone.
It has one rear camera of 12 MP & one front camera of 20 MP. Other features of this phone include RAM of 6 GB & storage of 64GB.
X3 is the latest rugged smartphone from the flagship X3. It will launch soon in India as their latest range.
