The Top 7 Rugged Smartphones For the Avid Outdoorsman
Posted on by Beckworth & Co
Smartphones. Can’t live without them. We are so used to being wired that we find it so hard to leave our phones even when camping, an opportunity when we should typically be offline. However, most cellphones are fragile and expensive things not well-suited for use in the wild since they can easily break in environments with a lot of heat or moisture. Additionally, these gadgets are quite expensive and also contain important stuff such as irreplaceable pictures and information so it would be an incredible hassle if you're to break yours.
But wouldn't it be such a shame if you can't snap IG-worthy pics and vids of your outdoor trip? Not bringing a smartphone when hiking or camping is no longer an option nowadays, especially since it becomes your only lifeline to civilization. For these occasions, what you need is an outdoor smartphone that's designed for rugged outdoor use.
If this is your first time shopping for an outdoor smartphone, you're likely to see a lot of brands that you may not even have heard of before. This doesn't mean you should immediately discount these names from your options since some do present tremendous value. You'll find some of these top rated phones below as well as some offerings from household brands.
The name Kyocera should allay any doubts that you may have on this phone. This Japanese company is known more for its copiers but it is a global producer of electronics and ceramics and has actually been making phones since the 2000's. The DuraForce Pro 2's main draw is its 4K, 135º action camera and its 106 db loud speakers.
Compliments
Complaints
Very tough, handles water and drops very well
USB-C fast charging
Great audio recordings even in noisy environments
A customer complained of random issues such as the phone clearing itself
If you like to pack light and are ok with the bare minimum, then the Atom is for you. It will provide you the basics of a smartphone in a tiny, tough-as-nails package. You won't find any bells and whistles here but if you need a reliable, minimalist phone that won't serve as a distraction, this unique handset is the best option.
Compliments
Complaints
Tough phone built for adventure
Really small but with a good screen
Has a headphone jack
2000 mAh batter lasts the whole day
Dual sim
Comes with some bloatware
Camera is not so good
Screen colors not as accurate
One customer said his phone's screen shattered on impact
Known more for its industrial equipment and vehicles, CAT is a brand often equated for toughness and reliability. The company forayed into the smartphone market around 10 years ago and specialized in toughened and strengthened units for industrial use. Most of its phones like the CAT S61 are not just armored phones but rather designed and built from the ground up for extreme conditions.
Compliments
Complaints
Very tough, great for industrial use
Includes tools such as laser assisted distance measure, indoor air quality monitor
Samsung needs no introduction but the company is not exactly known for making durable phones. However, if you want a rugged phone that can performs as well as a Galaxy, then the XCover Pro is your option.
Ulefone belongs to the new crop of Chinese electronics manufacturers that has managed to break into the global smartphone market. Equipped with a tough cover and a handful of cool features like a thermal imaging camera and endoscope support, the Ulefone Armor 9 has been well-received by reviewers and is considered to be one of the best options within the category.
Compliments
Complaints
Very tough and heavy duty
Good aftersales support
Endoscope support is difficult to find in competitor phones
Customer in US got a phone that booted into Chinese
The brand name might be enough to put some buyers off but don't knock this phone until you try it. Doogee's S96 has been included in a number of top lists for rugged outdoor phones since it offers at an attractive price point a number of features often found on higher-end phones.
Compliments
Complaints
Military grade toughness
5G enabled
Fast processor, good overall performance
Cool night vision mode
Some customers complained of mic and speaker issues out of the box
Could not connect to some apps and devices like Alexa
Blackview is a HongKong-based company that has become a leader in the rugged outdoor smartphone space and the BV series, particularly the 9700 has gotten rave reviews from various sources. This flagship phone isn't only packed with features including a barometric altimeter, heart rate monitor and air quality detection, it also looks good.
Compliments
Complaints
Incredibly tough
Fast enough for mainstream games
Good customer service
Lots of features for the price
Battery life not as good as expected
Some customers experienced glitchy performance, apps closing automatically