Inflation is real, and it’s quite obvious in the cost of modern smartphones. With price tags ballooning to $1,500 and beyond for some of the best Android phones, the desire to protect your investment has never been sharper. A proper phone case is a great start, but you’ll want the phone itself to do some of the heavy lifting if you’re dropping an entire paycheck on it.

That’s where the best rugged Android phones shine. Not only are they designed to take a beating in or out of a case, but many also come with extra layers of protection against the elements, dust, water, and other particles that may attempt to damage your phone’s sensitive internals. Plus, as the phones below demonstrate, being durable doesn’t mean they skimp in other areas. Some of the devices on our list are as fully featured as many flagship smartphones.

The best rugged Android phones in 2023

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Best overall

A tough-as-nails Galaxy

It’s probably no surprise that our top pick comes from Samsung, arguably the king of the Android phone market. They’ve turned out an alternative to their S Series and Note lines that perfectly bridge the gap between durable design and sophisticated elegance. It’s 5G compatible with a capacious battery and solid performance specs and designed to withstand drops, dust, water, dirt, and sand.

Pros

• 5G and Wi-Fi6E
• Up to 1TB of expandable storage
• Removeable battery

Cons

• Average battery size
• Small front camera

The Galaxy XCover6 Pro is military-grade tested and approved with a focus on environmental conditions. The solid frame and reinforced edges provide better shock absorption and drop protection, while the Gorilla Glass display contains a rubber bumper to protect your screen from shattering. The screen is also integrated with touch sensitivity technology, so you can use this phone with gloves on or in the rain. Dustproof and water-resistant ratings let the Galaxy XCover6 Pro thrive in any environment, from the factory floor to the field.

In addition to handling all the action, the Galaxy XCover6 Pro is ready to capture all the action. The 50MP main camera and 8MP ultra-wide camera have you covered from all angles, while the 13MP front camera covers you for any impromptu video meetings. To track all of your actions, the XCover6 Pro has a handy virtual toolkit, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, and more. The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro is compatible with GSM, WCDMA, and CDMA networks.

AGM Glory Pro

Premium pick

Able to handle any environment

The Glory Pro from AGM is the definition of a go-anywhere trail buddy. It is extremely durable, with a MIL-STD-810H military standard reinforced frame that’s drop-proof, dustproof, and waterproof. It also packs welcome outdoor extras like a built-in speaker and a thermal imaging camera. In addition, it has 5G support to ensure your data is delivered at top speed.

Pros

• Large speaker
• Thermal imaging camera
• Infrared night vision camera

This rugged, high-performance 5G smartphone is jam-packed with features and functions you never knew you wanted. The AGM Glory Pro has a design similar to the UleFone Power Armor 16 Pro with a large speaker on the back. This massive 3.5W rated speaker can produce up to 110db of loudness for the ultimate party no matter where you are.

The AGM Glory Pro comes loaded with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, and up to 512GB of expandable storage with a Micro SD card. With the long-lasting cold-resistant battery, the 6200mAh battery can last up to three days of regular usage or up to 22 hours in -16° F weather. The battery isn’t the only thing about this phone that’s built to last. The tough design also meets all military-grade standards, including drop-proof, dustproof, shockproof, and waterproof — you can take this phone anywhere.

For capturing any adventure, big or small, you’ll get a couple of options for your camera: a high-quality Sony 48MP camera, a 20MP infrared night vision camera, a 16MP front camera, a 2MP macro camera, and an integrated thermal imaging camera. The thermal imaging camera is the most powerful, with 2X the resolution and half the reaction time, so no matter what hotspots you’re looking for, you’ll find them instantly. The AGM Glory Pro is compatible with GSM carriers and Lyca Mobile; however, it is incompatible with Consumer Cellular, Cricket, and Verizon.

UleFone Power Armor 16 Pro

Best value

Inexpensively awesome

If you want a smartphone that doubles as a powerful, fully connected speaker, look no further than the Power Armor 16 Pro. With a 3.5W power rating and 122db speaker, it’s not just for listening to music while you’re cleaning; this thing can power a full party. Appropriately, it also packs a massive 9600mAh battery and is extremely rugged, so it can keep blasting tunes through the wee hours. And if it gets drunkenly knocked off a table, no harm, no foul.

Pros

• Runs on Android 12
• 122db speaker
• Huge battery

Cons

• Limited to only 4G
• Small main camera

The Power Armor 16 Pro offers 4GB of RAM along with 64GB of internal storage and up to 128GB of expandable storage to hold all of your music, images, and programs. The extra large 9600mAh battery provides enough power for 528 hours of standby time and 52 hours of call time, so you can keep working hard while your phone stays charged. The main 16MP rear camera is accompanied by a 2MP macro lens to help you capture even the smallest details. Need to photograph something underwater? No problem. The underwater camera mode lets you do just that.

If you find yourself in the dark, the high-brightness flashlight built into the top of the phone produces no flickers and can light up any area that you may need to work in safely. The UleFone also meets waterproof, dustproof, and drop protection certification standards and is military-grade tested and approved. It can resist up to 1.5m underwater, extreme temperatures of -4° and 131 °F, as well as high pressure, dust, drops, and crashes. For any construction worker or outdoor adventurer, this phone can withstand all your rugged activities.

The UleFone Power Armor 16 Pro is compatible with GSM, WCDMA, and LTE networks with most carriers such as T-Mobile, Metro PCS, etc. However, this smartphone is not compatible with AT&T, Cricket, and CDMA carriers.

Doogee S99

A lighter rugged phone

Tough but lightweight

$256 $320 Save
$64

Built from rugged titanium and lightweight aluminum, the S99 from Doogee is one of the most inexpensive, durable phones you can get your hands on. It boasts military-grade toughness and an IP69K rating, meaning it’s about as water and dustproof as possible. It even packs an impressive 108MP camera, so your photo quality doesn’t have to suffer just because you bought a phone built to survive an active lifestyle.

Pros

• Runs on Android 12
• Ring light

Cons

• 4G
• Only supports 15W wireless charging

One of the best things about Doogee is the extensive list of rugged smartphones available with varying functions and strengths. The Doogee S99 comes with a MediaTek Helio G96 processor, 15GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, but it makes up for it with up to 1TB of expandable storage with a Micro SD. The battery life remains relatively the same, with 6000mAh lasting around three days of normal use and 18 days on standby. Unfortunately, the S99 only supports 15W wireless charging.

When it comes to cameras, the S99 has gone with a 32MP Sony selfie camera, giving you higher-quality and cleaner-looking selfie photos. The main rear camera gets a massive upgrade from the 64MP in the V20 version to a 108MP main camera. The S99 also has a 16MP wide-angle and macro lens upgrade, plus dual-infrared night vision lights combined with a 64MP night vision camera.

AGM H5 Pro

Awesome sound

Can double as a Bluetooth speaker

For a fraction of the price of the AGM Glory Pro, the H5 Pro still packs a ton of excellent features. Most notable is the whopping 190db, 3.5W rated speaker to put out booming volume if you need your phone to double as a speaker. It even features the same camera specs as the pricier Glory Pro, though you sacrifice some internal storage.

Pros

• Runs on Android 12
• Huge battery

Cons

• 4G
• No Micro SD card support
• Minimal internal storage

The internal components of the AGM H5 Pro vary quite a bit from the Glory Pro. While this model is only 4G compatible, it runs on Android 12, so there is a little bonus there. You get the same 8GB of RAM, but the similarities end there. With the H5 Pro, you have a lot less internal memory of 128GB and no expandable storage with an SD card. This is probably the biggest downfall of this device, as you’re very limited in your available storage.

Oddly enough, with the AGM H5 Pro, the camera specs are almost the same, including the infrared night vision camera. Still, this model omits its very cool thermal imaging camera, which is quite desirable for many outdoorsy people. While the camera specs are pretty great, you won’t have a ton of space to save photos and videos, so the storage factor alone might make you reconsider. However, if storage isn’t much of a barrier, the price difference between the H5 Pro and the Glory Pro might have you thinking.

Blackview BL8800 Pro

Dependable

Strong and durable

From Blackview, a company known for building durable and reliable Android phones, the BL8800 is a sturdy option built around a metal frame and double-shot TPU moldings, practically a protective case built into the chassis of the phone. It packs a FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera, five total rear cameras, and a big 8380mAh battery for all-day performance.

Pros

• Huge battery
• Thermal imaging camera
• Liquid cooling system

Cons

• No Micro SD card support
• Minimal internal storage

The BL8800 Pro is built to last with a metal frame fixed with thickened rubber and double-shot TPU moldings. The durability of this device has been put through rigorous tests to prove it meets all military grade and protection standards. From shocks to vibrations and high elevations to submerged underwater, this phone can handle anything it’s put through. And while your phone can withstand extreme weather, your hands might not be able to. Luckily, this phone’s screen is fully functional even when you’re wearing gloves to protect your hands from the elements.

In close competition with the AGM Glory Pro, the Blackview BL8800 Pro is equipped with a FLIR thermal imaging camera, a Tetrapixel 16MB front camera, and a 50MB rear main camera with multiple shooting options. A thermal imaging camera can detect hotspots to troubleshoot electrical, plumbing, or heating issues within your home. They can also detect dangers outside the home, from missing persons in the dark to lurking animals. For additional camera options, take advantage of underwater mode to fully immerse yourself in the water, or you can even record high-quality 2K video.

CAT S62 Pro

Deceptively durable

Built like a CAT

You may not think of CAT, a company best known for building industrial construction machinery, when it comes to smartphones. But the S62 Pro may change your mind, especially if you’re the sort of person who works around that kind of machinery on a regular basis. This is a phone that will survive in those kinds of rough and tumble environments, with IP68 water and dust proofing and rated military tough. Meow.

Pros

• Thermal imaging camera
• Construction site approved

The CAT S62 Pro gives you 6GB of RAM as well as 128GB internal storage, with the option to expand to 256GB with an SD card. With the 4000mAh battery, the CAT S62 can last up to two full work days. Also, the high-grade aluminum body and Gorilla Glass display provide all-around coverage for your device. From drop protection to shocks, vibration, water, and any extreme environments, the CAT S62 Pro can handle it.

While the CAT S62 Pro isn’t running on the latest 5G networks yet, this powerful, rugged smartphone brings some cool features. Generally, all smartphones these days have some front and rear-facing cameras, but what’s extra cool about this phone is that it also comes with an integrated FLIR thermal camera. This highly sensitive professional-grade sensor provides in-depth thermal imaging to help locate and deal with potential leaks, hotspots, electrical shorts, blockages, and hazards. With a 4x increase in the number of thermal pixels used, the thermal resolution is higher with better image quality. The thermal imaging sensor is so powerful it can detect temperatures ranging from -4 °F to 392 °F.

Nokia XR20

Best rugged Nokia

Thin and durable

Nokia has provided a great mid-tier option for those who need a rugged phone, featuring 5G network support for snappy downloads and data transfer, plus a scratch-resistant, drop-resistant, water and temperature-resistant durable frame. The display itself is built from the toughest Gorilla Glass available, as well, so this thing will probably be entertaining the cockroaches after surviving whatever apocalypse inevitably dooms humanity.

Cons

• Average battery
• No wall charger included

Nokia has been a manufacturer of heavy-duty phones from the very beginning, so there’s no doubt this Nokia XR20 is designed to handle anything life throws at it. It also runs on speedy 5G networks for the fastest and most dependable connection. With this phone, you’ll get 6GB of RAM along with 128GB of internal storage and the option to use the expandable 512GB Micro SD slot for tons of extra space. In addition, the 4630mAh battery is made to last you up to two days of usage between charges. However, in keeping with their environmental profile, the Nokia XR20 does not include a wall charger in the box, so you will need to purchase one separately if required.

This smartphone comes with a dual rear camera setup combining a 48MP main camera with an ultra-wide 13MP lens with its own dedicated flash to capture the most details. With the SpeedWarp super-stabilization mode, you can fast-forward to the moments that matter. In addition, the OZO audio technology cancels out wind and excess background sounds and only records the sounds you want.

Source: Amazon

Blackview BV9200

Tough but pretty

Another great option from Blackview

A rugged phone that doesn’t skimp on features, the Blackview BV9200 includes 66W fast charging to top off its 5000mAh battery in a hurry, as well as 30W wireless charging if you’ve fully embraced the cable-free feature. It’s also got a sharp 2.4K display, a speedy octa-core MediaTek G96 processor, and meets all the toughness standards you’d expect from Blackview, one of the top manufacturers of durable Android phones.

Pros

• 2.4K resolution
• Gorilla Glass display
• 66W Fast and 30W wireless charging

Unsurprisingly, Blackview has claimed a couple of spots on our list. A company that’s largely built a name for itself by manufacturing rugged Android phones, Blackview delivers again with the BV9200, an all-around banger that provides the toughness you’d expect. Constructed from an aluminum alloy and swathed in absorbent rubber, it received a MIL-STD-810H military certification, packs IP69K dust and waterproofing, and is temperature and drop-resistant up to five feet.

Perhaps best of all, though, it’s equipped with a crisp 2.4K resolution, 120hz, and 6.6-inch screen (which is, naturally, built from rugged Gorilla Glass). The entire package is driven by the snappy combo of an octa-core MediaTek G96 processor and an Arm Mali-G57 GPU, so it’s no slouch when it comes to performance, either. It’s also compatible with both 66W fast charging as well as 30W wireless charging, so you never have to worry about being caught for long with a dead phone.

Secure some peace of mind with a rugged Android phone

One of the most terrifying moments in the information age is the few heartbeats between dropping your phone and the moment it impacts the ground. If you’ve spent thousands on one of the fragile flagships, you may experience a crushing wave of emotion in that split second: buyer’s remorse, regret that you didn’t immediately invest in a case, and the fleeting hope that maybe the screen won’t crack or shatter into a thousand costly splinters.

However, if you invested in one of the rugged phones from this list, you can instead spend those moments smirking and thinking about what you want for dinner, smug in the knowledge that your phone is built to survive all of our cruel world’s worst vicissitudes. Our top choice is a perfect example. Samsung’s XCover6 Pro is designed to survive drops and be dust and waterproof, but it also comes with the features you expect from the market leader, like 5G compatibility and an elegant design.

For just a little more, the AGM Glory Pro is also an exceptional choice where ruggedness and performance are concerned, including its powerful 3.5W, 110db speaker to crank out tunes at your next party or BBQ. On the other hand, if you want to save a few bucks but still want a phone designed to survive the inevitable apocalypse, consider the Power Armor 16 Pro, which is built to withstand all kinds of abuse and also packs one of the largest batteries in modern smartphones at a whopping 9600mAh capacity.

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

Best overall

A tough-as-nails Galaxy

It’s probably no surprise that our top pick comes from Samsung, arguably the king of the Android phone market. They’ve turned out an alternative to their S Series and Note lines that perfectly bridge the gap between durable design and sophisticated elegance. The XCover6 Pro is 5G compatible with a capacious battery and solid performance specs and can withstand drops, dust, water, dirt, and sand.

Pros

• 5G and Wi-Fi6E
• Up to 1TB of expandable storage
• Removeable battery

Cons

• Average battery size
• Small front camera