Best rugged smartphones 2022

Smartphones with improved protection are an indispensable purchase for tourists, avid fishermen and hunters, and for all other fans of outdoor activities. How to choose the best rugged smartphone or phone in 2022 and still get the most functionality? The answer is in our material.

In nature, far from civilization, it is important to constantly stay in touch, have access to navigation, maps – at least, to the function of emergency calls. Of course, models of devices that are discharged after a couple of hours of continuous use are completely unsuitable for such conditions. Moreover, when hiking or rafting, there is no time to think about whether such an important device is sufficiently protected, whether it will suffer from moisture and dust, whether it will turn into a broken brick after just one fall on the stones.

In this case, special models of secure phones come to the rescue, which are generally cheaper than advanced devices of well-known brands, do not have a number of functions, but are resistant to dust and water, as well as high battery capacity. Let’s figure out what to look for when choosing secure smartphones and which models to prefer if you don’t want to give up performance, a clear picture and a high-quality camera for the sake of durability. However, it is far from always that you need a smartphone in nature or on hikes – in many cases it is reasonable to get by with the good old push-button phone. The push-button loses to the smartphone in terms of functionality, but clearly surpasses it in terms of reliability and operating time.

In this review, we will consider models worth up to 25 thousand rubles, which are interesting to a large number of users, as well as several push-button models.

Editor’s Choice

BQ 2430 Tank Power

Защищённая «звонилка» от компании BQ с неплохой для своего класса начинкой и при этом по весьма приемлемой цене. Основное достоинство — ёмкий аккумулятор 4000 мА⋅ч с функцией внешнего зарядного устройства. Своя память у телефона составляет 32 мб, что не редкость для кнопочных телефонов. Конечно, для полноценной работы этого объёма памяти мало, но зато телефон поддерживает карты памяти объёмом до 64 гб. Также весьма полезными будут два фонаря, радио и наличие двух сим-карт. Про камеру говорить не приходится, она тут номинальная. Если вам нужен дешёвый, но функциональный аппарат, обратите внимание на эту модель. Чудес, однако, от неё ждать не стоит. 

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Advantages and disadvantages

Top 10 best rugged smartphones in 2022 according to KP

1. Oukitel WP2

The device is equipped with a 10000 mAh battery, which allows you to not remember about recharging in medium-intensive use for four days. At the same time, the phone has the highest degree of protection IP68, a clear 6.0″ screen is protected by tempered glass Corning Gorilla Glass-2 and, according to user reviews, it actually remains impervious to most external influences. 

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2. AGM A9 4

The phone is really indestructible, even when falling from a great height on the asphalt, only scratches remain, but in terms of functions it loses to analogues. The main disadvantage is the small amount of internal memory, and you cannot install applications on the card. The phone has a very good sound, thanks to the JBL speakers, however, it is better not to turn the volume up to the maximum – wheezing appears. It is better to look for a discounted option – for a price of 19 thousand rubles, the phone could be more functional. 

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3. Ulefone Armor X5 Pro

Productive model, works smartly, has a good bright screen. At the same time, the battery is not happy: only 5000 mAh, the quality of photos is also not up to par. However, for its price, the device pleases, it fits comfortably in the hand, it is not very heavy, it copes with protection from dust and moisture. It is worth paying attention if you have the opportunity to regularly recharge the device, and the quality of photos is not a significant parameter. 

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4. Blackview BV6300 Pro

A classic model, quite comfortable and not too heavy – only 230 grams. Protected from everything and it works: not afraid of falls, rain, a short stay in the water. A big plus – 128 gigabytes of memory and six gigabytes of RAM – the phone literally flies and does not slow down, but the 4380 mAh battery is not serious at all for such a nimble model. The manufacturer especially boasts of four cameras, but the quality of their work is not so significant, at dusk the photos are grainy. 

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5. DOOGEE S55

One of the best budget options. A reliable phone with a good degree of protection IP68, shockproof, that is, it performs its functions perfectly. It is worth choosing if there are no serious requirements for photo quality and the number of installed applications. Simple programs work well, looks brutal, for many buyers this will be enough.

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6. Blackview BV9500

Pretty stylish, but heavy and powerful smartphone. Its advantages are a powerful battery and a good degree of protection. The manufacturer even promises that if you submerge it under water to a depth of 1,8 meters and leave it for two hours, nothing will happen to it. Not the cheapest, but reliable, although you need to understand that both the weight and dimensions of the tube are quite large. But for its intended use, that is, for extreme conditions, this is perhaps the best choice. 

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7. Ginzzu RS9602

Достаточно простой, но надёжный телефон по адекватной низкой цене для тех, кто не собирается играть, фотографировать с претензией на отличные кадры. В нормальном режиме использования аккумулятора хватает на 3-5 дней. Хороший, громкий звук, но гнезда для наушников нет, нужен переходник с Type C. Не имеет защиты IP68, но прорезиненный корпус защищает от случайных падений, также есть металлический бампер для того, чтобы телефон не выскальзывал из рук. 

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8. BQ 5541L Shark Rush

Неплохой защищённый смартфон за свои деньги. Оперативная память 4 Гб позволяет смартфону работать довольно шустро в режиме многозадачности. Однако с точки зрения защищённости это одна из лучших моделей на рынке с ударопрочным корпусом и высшей степенью защиты IP68. При этом устройство мало отличается от обычных телефонов, имеет датчик для разблокировки отпечатком пальца, чип NFS, позволяющий оплачивать покупки. Пригодится в походе и яркий фонарик, а камера в 13 Мп позволит делать неплохие фотографии. Правда, батарея здесь не самая мощная — всего 3900 мАч, быстро разряжается при активном использовании в сетях 4G. 

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9. Blackview BV9100

Один из лучших защищенных телефонов, который позволяет не отказываться и от остального функционала. Аккумулятор в 13 000 мАч обеспечивает долгую работу без подзарядки, хорошая камера дает возможность делать качественные снимки на память. Наличие модуля NFC позволяет не носить с собой банковские карты. Правда, аппарат тяжеловат для повседневного использования точно не подойдет, а вот в условиях похода будет полезен – его точно не потеряешь незаметно. Наушники придется использовать только блютуз, или же покупать переходник. А вот защита неплохая, дождь или водный поход трубка переживет, хотя нырять с ней в бассейне не рекомендуется – лучше для таких вещей купить дополнительный чехол.

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10. Land Rover V2 Pro

You can not ignore one of the latest smartphones that have recently appeared on sale. The model is not cheap, but at first glance it is worthy of its money. The smartphone has a heart rate monitor, six gigabytes of RAM promise that the device will work smartly and without problems. In the pro version, the body is made of magnesium alloy and is really practically indestructible, it works quietly at temperatures from -30 degrees. Corresponds to the class of the device and full-HD display with a clear picture. 

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Top 3 best rugged feature phones in 2022 according to KP

Довольно часто в походе или в агрессивной природной среде телефон нужен только для выполнения основной функции. При этом «звонилка» должна обладать хорошей выживаемостью, не капризничать, уверенно ловить сигнал. Если вы не собираетесь снимать фоторепортажи и пользоваться навигаторами, есть смысл обратить внимание на защищённые кнопочные телефоны. Их неоспоримое достоинство — цена, которая в среднем варьируется в пределах 3000 рублей. При этом большинство моделей обладают крупными кнопками, чтобы номер можно было набрать даже в перчатках или замерзшими руками, удобным прорезиненным корпусом и способны не разряжаться на протяжении недели.

1. teXet TM-513R

Reliable, durable, with a good degree of moisture protection, this phone can survive up to half an hour under water, it is protected from falling from a height by a special case design, the keys have a rubberized coating and the device simply does not slip out of your hands. The battery capacity of 2570 mAh is enough for this device to work for a week. You can listen to FM radio, there is a special retractable antenna. The phone has a very small capacity of its own memory, it is recommended to immediately install a memory card. 

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2. Nokia 800 Tough

The tube has moisture and dust protection of the IP68 standard, internal components are protected from shock by rubber elastic inserts, rubberized buttons can be pressed even with warm thick gloves. There is Google Assistant, navigator, 4G connection is available. The 2100 mAh battery is enough to work in standby mode for 5 days. On board 4 GB of memory and a good FM-radio. The case is comfortable, and the tube itself does not weigh too much. But such a model costs quite a lot for a push-button phone. 

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3. BQ 2817 Tank Quattro Power

Cheap and reliable handset with four SIM cards at once. Suitable for the elderly: large buttons, loud bell. The battery keeps calm for a week or more, a very bright, powerful flashlight will help you on hikes. Radio catches confidently, but there is no headphone jack – a fat minus for many. However, there is not much memory here, so turning the device into a player without installing a memory card will not work. 

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How to choose a secure smartphone

The choice of secure smartphones in 2022 on the market is not small. Andrey Vasin, a master of phone repair service, helped us figure out what (except for the price, of course) should be paid attention to, and what should not be expected from any models.

Protection

Manufacturers of all rugged models claim IP68 protection (dust and water resistance when fully immersed). This can only be verified in practice: therefore, it is not recommended to look at models that have just appeared on the market, they still do not have enough reviews or experience of use. When choosing a secure model, you should definitely read the reviews of people who have used these phones in their lives. And the most important thing is to remember that moisture protection is not an indulgence for diving and swimming with a phone. 

Во-первых, никакая защита не спасет от солёной воды, во-вторых, производители сразу заявляют, что аппарат может жить около получаса под водой на глубине не более 10 сантиметров. На практике после таких купаний телефоны всё-таки промокают, но не критично, так что спасти трубку можно. Обычные телефоны точно умрут после таких «процедур». 

Shatter-resistant glass is good, but it’s best to take care to drop the device less often, so look and touch the case carefully: it should be rubberized, protected by special metal inserts. It is best if they stick out a little, and the glass, on the contrary, is recessed. By itself, any tempered glass cracks from a direct blow. It is recommended even in such smartphones to stick a protective film.

Design

Review the design carefully. It is best if the back of the device is also rubberized, and not made of plastic. Good impact resistance is indicated by the presence in the technical specifications of a record of manufacturing according to the military standard MIL-STD 810.

Screen

Будьте внимательны к экрану: включите его в магазине и посмотрите, не бликует ли он при ярком свете. Также в таких смартфонах обычно бывают более чувствительные сенсоры, которые реагируют даже на прикосновение к перчаткам.

Battery

High battery capacity figures should be treated with caution: measurements were taken, and in models where 10 mAh are declared, this result was not achieved. Normal numbers are in the region of 000-5000, 6000 is critically low.