Best Rugged Smartphones

Best Rugged Smartphones 2023: Are you in search of a smartphone capable of enduring the rigors of your workplace or withstanding falls, rough handling, rain, and other potential mishaps? Well, look no further—there’s a perfect solution designed specifically for this purpose, and it goes by the name of a rugged smartphone.

However, the utility of rugged smartphones extends beyond just the workplace. It’s recommended for individuals planning outdoor activities like picnics or running, as these devices offer resilience and durability against demanding journeys, protecting against potential damage that might affect personal smartphones. The term “rugged” itself conveys this durability and robustness in English.

In our upcoming guide, we’ll provide valuable insights on selecting the best rugged smartphone based on individual needs. Furthermore, we aim to keep the guide regularly updated to incorporate any new and noteworthy products entering the market in the upcoming weeks or months. With this guide, we hope to assist you in finding the most suitable product that meets your requirements.

How to choose a Best Rugged Smartphones

If you’re new to exploring rugged smartphones, the sheer variety of products available in the market might be overwhelming. That’s precisely why in this section, we’ll explore together how to navigate the selection process for a rugged smartphone, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your needs.

Certainly, some aspects to consider overlap with choosing a “traditional” smartphone, such as evaluating the display, processor, RAM, and cameras. However, when it comes to rugged smartphones, there are several crucial features worth checking before making a purchase, notably the device’s resistance ratings and battery capacity.

It’s essential to bear in mind that there’s no definitive right or wrong choice; the suitability of a rugged smartphone depends entirely on how you intend to use it. With that in mind, we’ll delve into detail about all the crucial aspects that should be considered before making your purchase decision.

Display

Like any reputable smartphone, the display is among the most crucial features to consider. When evaluating a display, certain specifications hold significance, such as resolution and durability.

Regarding resolution, higher values generally equate to better visual quality. For instance, a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels signifies the display’s capability to showcase images in Full HD (FHD), delivering excellent clarity and definition.

Additionally, it’s essential to consider the display’s refresh rate, indicating how swiftly the screen can update content. A minimum refresh rate of 60 Hz is recommended for smooth performance. Another aspect to assess is the pixel density, often measured in pixels per inch (ppi). Higher pixel density signifies a sharper image quality, as more pixels are packed into each inch of the screen, enhancing overall visual clarity.

We strongly advise considering the brightness level of the display, particularly if you intend to use your rugged smartphone for outdoor activities. Opting for a display with a brightness level of at least 1,000 nits is recommended for optimal visibility in various lighting conditions. Fortunately, most displays available in the market meet or surpass this brightness threshold.

In discussions about rugged smartphones, it’s essential to address the display’s resilience—its capacity to withstand impacts and drops. A critical factor to examine is the type of glass used in the smartphone’s display. For instance, if your device is equipped with Gorilla Glass, it’s a reliable indicator of durability as Gorilla Glass is renowned as one of the best and sturdiest glasses available in the market. Assessing the display’s resistance is crucial for ensuring prolonged functionality, especially in demanding environments or situations prone to potential mishaps.

Processor & RAM

Continuing our exploration of choosing the ideal rugged smartphone tailored to our needs, we must emphasize the significance of scrutinizing the processor and RAM, which significantly influence the device’s speed and multitasking capabilities.

When assessing the processor, it’s crucial to consider the number of cores it possesses—essentially the processing “brains” of the device. Generally, the more cores a processor incorporates, the quicker and more efficient its operation. Presently, smartphones commonly offer processors with 4, 6, or 8 cores, with well-known options being Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Exynos. While Apple’s processors are noteworthy, they are not relevant to this guide as Apple has not yet introduced rugged smartphones.

Regarding RAM memory, the concept is straightforward—more is better. Greater RAM capacity empowers the smartphone to handle multiple operations simultaneously with ease. A contemporary smartphone typically features a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, although many models offer 6, 8, or even 12 GB for enhanced performance and multitasking capabilities. Evaluating these hardware components is pivotal in ensuring a swift and efficient user experience with a rugged smartphone.

Cameras

When purchasing a rugged smartphone, the camera might not be the primary consideration for buyers. However, having a robust photographic setup can be beneficial, both in professional settings and especially during travels.

Certain fundamental camera features warrant consideration, such as megapixels and aperture. Megapixels serve as a straightforward indicator—higher megapixel counts typically result in sharper and more detailed photos or videos. Yet, the final quality of a photograph isn’t solely dependent on megapixels; the focal aperture, which determines a lens’s ability to regulate light intake, significantly impacts the photographic outcome.

In the context of rugged smartphones and their cameras, it’s advisable to explore additional features like the inclusion of an infrared camera. This feature enables visibility in low-light conditions, nearly in the absence of light—a valuable asset in various situations. Additionally, assessing the presence of a thermal camera is worthwhile, offering the capability to detect heat. This particular feature proves immensely practical in specific work environments where thermal imaging can provide crucial insights.

Resistance Classifications

Now we approach one of the primary motivations behind considering a rugged smartphone: its durability and resistance. The allure of a rugged smartphone lies in its ability to endure diverse working conditions or adverse weather scenarios, especially during outdoor activities like mountain excursions.

The resilience of a rugged smartphone is determined by specific resistance classifications. Firstly, there’s the IP68 rating, which signifies two essential attributes. The numeral 6 indicates complete protection against dust ingress, ensuring the device remains dust-resistant. The numeral 8 indicates the smartphone’s capability to be fully submerged in water without incurring damage.

Beyond the IP68 rating, there’s the IP69K classification. This encompasses all the features of IP68 while introducing resistance to high temperatures and high-pressure cleaning procedures. Lastly, there’s the MIL-STD-810 classification, assuring the smartphone’s capacity to withstand drops from a height of at least 1.2 meters and endure substantial impacts. If the rugged smartphone you’re considering boasts all these ratings, rest assured it would require a significant force to cause any substantial damage to the device.

Battery

Let’s delve into the critical aspect of the battery when considering the purchase of any smartphone, which becomes even more crucial in the case of a rugged smartphone. The durability of the battery is paramount, as it must sustain the device throughout a full workday, especially considering extensive usage during work hours, or during extended periods outdoors.

Encouragingly, current rugged smartphones available in the market come equipped with impressive batteries. It’s advisable to opt for a smartphone featuring a battery capacity of at least 3,000 mAh to ensure it comfortably lasts through a day, particularly under substantial usage.

Apart from battery capacity, it’s worthwhile to examine the charging speed of the device. Charging speed is quantified in Watts, where higher values indicate faster charging capabilities. A charging speed is considered fast if it reaches at least 10-15W. However, the charging speed isn’t solely determined by the smartphone; the wall charger utilized, as well as the charging cable itself, also contribute to the overall charging pace. Therefore, considering the entire charging setup is essential in maximizing the smartphone’s charging efficiency.

Audio

Another noteworthy specification to consider in a rugged smartphone is its audio capabilities, focusing on two primary aspects. Firstly, it’s beneficial to assess the power and quality of the device’s internal speakers. This feature holds significant importance, especially in demanding or noisy work environments where a robust speaker system can significantly enhance usability and communication.

Additionally, evaluating the presence of a 3.5mm jack for headphones or earphones is advantageous. This traditional audio output allows for direct connectivity of wired headphones or earphones, offering an alternative audio experience. Moreover, considering the device’s Bluetooth compatibility for wireless connection with headphones or earphones provides users with additional flexibility in audio connectivity options.

Operating System & Updates

When it comes to smartphones, the dominant operating systems are Android and iOS. However, in the realm of rugged smartphones, our focus lies solely on Android, as Apple hasn’t ventured into the market for work-centric smartphones yet.

Within the Android realm, there are two crucial considerations to bear in mind. Firstly, the version of Android installed on the device at the time of purchase holds significance. For instance, if a smartphone is pre-installed with Android 10 when the current versions are Android 13 with Android 14 on the horizon, it indicates that the device has likely reached its obsolescence. Typically, smartphones receive support for about two or three major updates to the operating system, although sometimes it might be limited to just one. Samsung smartphones, in general, tend to enjoy longer support for updates compared to others.

Another essential aspect is the regularity of updates to security patches, vital for maintaining secure browsing and safe app downloads on your smartphone. While there’s no universal rule, it’s observed that different brands vary considerably in their approach to security updates. Generally, smartphones receive support for security patches for around three years, though some companies might offer support for only 1-2 years, while others like Samsung extend support for up to 5 years. Assessing these aspects is crucial to ensure a rugged smartphone stays updated and secure throughout its usage lifespan.

Connectivity

Finally, the connectivity aspect of a rugged smartphone is a crucial specification worth considering, encompassing its support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 4G/5G networks.

When examining Wi-Fi capabilities, it’s noteworthy that the most cutting-edge smartphones often feature Wi-Fi 6, recognized in technical specifications as 802.11ax. This standard facilitates rapid data exchange between the smartphone and the modem, boasting speeds reaching up to 9.6 Gbps. However, while this feature represents a technological advancement, it might not yet be an essential requirement for all users. It’s recommended to ensure that the intended smartphone purchase, at a minimum, supports the Wi-Fi 5 standard (802.11ac), a standard prevalent in nearly all smartphones currently available on the market. This standard provides reliable and swift wireless connectivity, meeting the demands of most users’ connectivity needs.

Regarding Bluetooth connectivity, the most recent iteration is Bluetooth 5.3. It’s advisable to confirm that your chosen smartphone supports at least Bluetooth 5.0 to ensure seamless connections with various Bluetooth-enabled devices such as earphones, speakers, or other peripherals.

Lastly, it’s essential to consider the type of mobile network support offered by the smartphone. While nearly all smartphones currently feature the 4G module, not all of them are equipped with the 5G module. If you require consistently ultra-fast connectivity and reside in an area with robust 5G coverage, it’s prudent to verify that your desired smartphone possesses compatibility with 5G networks. This ensures you can leverage the advantages of 5G connectivity if it aligns with your usage needs and geographical location.

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