Rugged smartphones are no longer just for workers or outdoor enthusiasts. In recent years, this segment has improved in both design and hardware, aligning more closely with mainstream trends. As a result, these devices are now appealing to a wider range of users. Durable and water-resistant models offer longer lifespans and added protection against accidents, making them suitable for demanding jobs, outdoor activities, or everyday use. Here’s a selection of ten popular rugged smartphones that, in our view, can meet the needs of any user, regardless of their profession or lifestyle.
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Doogee V40 Pro
The Doogee V40 Pro is a rugged smartphone with 5G support, running Android 14 with the Doogee OS 4.0 interface. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset and comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The device features a 6.78-inch IPS display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Additionally, there is a secondary display on the back panel, which provides quick access to battery status, time, and date.
The smartphone also includes several AI-powered features and a smart assistant. The front-facing camera has a 32MP resolution, while the rear camera system consists of a 200MP main sensor, a 20MP night vision camera, an 8MP ultra-wide module, and an 8MP sensor with 3x optical zoom.
The Doogee V40 Pro is equipped with a large 8680mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and NFC for contactless payments. In terms of durability, the device meets IP68 and IP69K standards for water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810H certification, ensuring it can withstand drops, impacts, and harsh environmental conditions.
Samsung Galaxy Xcover7
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 is an affordable rugged smartphone designed for outdoor use without compromising durability. It features a reinforced build that allows it to withstand submersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep and drops from heights of up to 1.8 meters. The device is certified to IP68 and MIL-STD-810H standards, ensuring resistance to dust, water, and harsh conditions. While originally targeted at the corporate sector and demanding work environments, the XCover 7 is also available for general consumers.
The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, an octa-core mid-range chipset. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, with the option to expand storage via a dedicated microSD slot without sacrificing dual SIM functionality. The 6.6-inch display features a resolution of 2408×1080 pixels and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+ for added durability.
The smartphone features a single 50MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing camera housed in a teardrop notch. It runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6. A customizable side button allows users to assign specific functions, and the 4050mAh battery is removable, enabling quick swaps for extended usage without needing to recharge.
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CUBOT King Kong Power 3
The CUBOT King Kong Power 3 is designed for users who need a reliable and durable device for everyday tasks and outdoor activities. It runs on a stock version of Android 14, offering a smooth interface, a large display, and a powerful battery that ensures long-lasting performance.
The CUBOT King Kong Power 3 features several unique elements that set it apart from other devices. It includes an LED strip with various lighting effects and a large speaker that can double as a portable Bluetooth speaker, delivering loud and clear sound.
Powered by the Helio G99 chipset with ARM Mali-G57 MC2 graphics, the smartphone offers configurations of 6/12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also supports microSD cards up to 256GB for additional storage. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C, and OTG support. The device is equipped with a massive 10200mAh battery, which supports 33W Power Delivery fast charging.
UleFone Armor 24
The UleFone Armor 24 is equipped with an exceptionally large 22000mAh battery and an integrated flashlight on the back. With a weight of nearly 650g, it’s strongly advised not to drop it on your foot to avoid injury. The device’s hefty build is a result of the massive battery, which allows for very infrequent charging. To minimize the need for frequent plug-ins, the model supports 66W wired fast charging.
The UleFone Armor 24’s battery not only powers the electronic components but also supports an integrated 6W LED flashlight, capable of delivering up to 1000 lumens of light output. The device features a 6.78-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2460×1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The rear camera system includes a dual setup with a 64MP main sensor and a 64MP night vision module, among other features.
The UleFone Armor 24 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G96, an octa-core mid-range chipset, and offers 12GB of RAM with 256GB of internal storage, along with a dedicated slot for memory expansion. Additionally, the device features a uSmart port on the side, allowing users to connect optional accessories such as a microscope or endoscope for added functionality.
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Blackview BV9300 Pro
The Oukitel WP8 Pro is priced from $210 and offers robust protection against dust and water (IP68), high-pressure hot water jets (IP69K), as well as impacts and drops (MIL-STD-810H). The device also includes an NFC chip for contactless payments. Inside, it features an impressive 15,080mAh battery with 33W Power Delivery fast charging.
The screen is a 6.7-inch 120Hz IPS display, providing smooth visuals. The main camera is a 50MP Samsung JN1 module with an f/1.8 aperture and phase-detection autofocus. The smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, Mali-G57 MC2 graphics, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage.
iiiF150 Raptor
The rugged smartphone features an aluminum-titanium frame, encased in a durable body designed to withstand various harsh conditions. The device is fully waterproof, with the ability to be submerged up to 6 meters for a full day, and is resistant to impacts and drops. It holds protection certifications including IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H. The 6.8-inch display is a fast IPS panel with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass v3. The design of the iiiF 150 Raptor places primary emphasis on its triple rear camera setup, which consists of a 108MP main image sensor, a 64MP night vision sensor (with two infrared LED emitters), and a thermal camera capable of measuring temperatures between -10°C and +550°C.
The device is powered by a robust 10,000mAh battery with 65W wired fast charging (approximately 50% charge in around 30 minutes). In terms of performance, the smartphone features a MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core processor, 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and 256GB of internal storage, with a hybrid slot for expanding the storage.
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OUKITEL WP33 Pro
The OUKITEL WP33 Pro, priced from $256, features an impressive 22,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging. The device supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and a USB C 2.0 port for connectivity.
Its rugged, waterproof, and shockproof body is made of metal and plastic, with a ribbed rear cover. The smartphone meets all necessary protection standards (IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810). The device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The display features a waterdrop notch, thin bezels, and a 2408×1080 resolution, with Corning Gorilla Glass v5 protection on top.
The rugged smartphone features a 20-megapixel night vision camera and a triple main camera setup. The primary sensor is a 64MP unit, ensuring high-quality photos even in challenging lighting conditions.
Ulefone Armor x31 Pro
The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro features a 6.56-inch LCD display with HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a peak brightness of 800 nits, and protection from Gorilla Glass 5.
It also boasts a 16MP front camera. Under the hood, the device runs on the Dimensity 6300 processor, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 2TB via a microSD card. The phone runs on Android 14, providing a smooth and modern software experience.
The Ulefone Armor X31 Pro is equipped with a 6050mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. It also features NFC, an infrared transmitter, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and has MIL-STD-810H certification for durability. The device is protected with an IP68/69K rating, making it resistant to water, dust, and tough environmental conditions.
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AGM G2 Guardian
This smartphone stands out with its built-in long-range thermal camera, powered by the Qualcomm QCM6490 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It also supports microSD cards up to 512GB.
The device features a 6.58-inch Full HD+ IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is equipped with a 7000mAh battery and loud speakers for clear audio. Additionally, the smartphone is protected with IP68 and IP69K ratings, as well as compliance with the MIL-STD-810G military protection standard, making it a reliable choice for tough environments.
Oscal Pilot 1
PILOT 1 is a rugged phone that boasts the loudest speaker on the market, delivering 5W of power (138 dB). It also features an extremely bright flashlight with two LEDs and AI-driven functionality.
The Doogee S96 Pro is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G81 processor, which is capable of running most popular modern mobile games at high graphics settings. It’s supported by the ARM Mali-G52 MC2 GPU, 6GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage.
The rugged smartphone features a 6.67-inch IPS display with a teardrop notch housing a 32-megapixel front camera. It has two main rear cameras, with the primary one being a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor. The device is equipped with a substantial 15,000mAh battery and supports 33W fast wired charging.
It seems that in 2025, reliable rugged and waterproof smartphones with appealing designs and competitive specs are available. These models are now featuring side-mounted fingerprint scanners, quad cameras, higher screen refresh rates, and other trendy features.
Do you use rugged devices, or are you considering getting one? Share your experiences, trusted models, and thoughts on this smartphone segment in the comments.
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