TOP 13 best rugged smartphones with a powerful battery and IP68

The mobile phone market can offer devices for any occasion, but rugged smartphones are especially relevant today. Recently, their range has expanded, and many manufacturers have released their own models, and even more than one. If your profession involves the risk of somehow damaging your mobile phone, or you lead an active lifestyle and risk dropping or even drowning your phone, then we offer our selection.

We have selected several smartphones with IP68 protection, which are not afraid of immersion under water, dust and dirt. These are not necessarily models with a massive body and weight like “SUVs” that can withstand falls and vibrations, but also compact options for everyday use.

Doogee S35

A rugged phone is not always an expensive device, and the Doogee S35 perfectly confirms this thesis.

The device that opens the rating costs no more than 9 thousand rubles, but at the same time it is protected not only according to the IP68 standard, but also has IP69 certification. And the shortcomings are expressed in mediocre characteristics.

Pros:

• cheapness;
• relative compactness;
• 3 cameras.

Minuses:

• bad screen;
• weak MediaTek chip.

What is IP68 and MIL-STD-810?

What do these two standards mean and what is the difference between them?

• IP68 - tells us that the case is resistant to dust and can withstand immersion under water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. This is the most common security setting for smartphones. The IP (International Protection Marking) designation itself is a unified international standard and is used for commercial purposes. In rare cases, you can find models certified IP69, these can withstand more extreme conditions.
• MIL-STD-810 is a designation generally understood to mean fair and objective protection. This standard was developed for the US Army and is used for testing all military products, but is often found in the private sector. Devices certified by this standard undergo more rigorous testing.

The selection of models was carried out solely on quality, characteristics and availability. We were only interested in proven IP68 rugged smartphones, which received mostly positive reviews.

Oukitel WP12 Pro

Another representative of ultra-budget devices of the protected class.

This model has more tolerable, but at the same time far from flagship hardware. The screen and cameras remain at a similar level, and the battery capacity is definitely not a record.

Pros:

• affordable price tag;
• has IP69 protection;
• screen without bangs.

Minuses:

• screen matrix quality.

No. 10 – VERTEX Impress Grip

Price: 10,000 rubles.

• Display: 5″, IPS, resolution 1280×720 px;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 410;
• Memory: 16/2 + microSD up to 32 GB;
• Camera: main 13 MP, front 5 MP;
• Battery: 4400 mAh.
• Dimensions: 84x157x15.7 mm, weight - 226 g.
• Protection: IP68.

Our rating opens with a budget smartphone from Vertex, which is protected from moisture and dust, as for this class of devices. This mobile phone does not have enough stars in the sky in terms of characteristics, but for an undemanding user its capabilities will be sufficient. There are no critical lags or slowdowns observed with the device; you can use it quite comfortably. The device is made in a rubberized case with IP68 moisture protection; it can withstand not only immersion under water, but also light falls on hard surfaces. The Impress Grip lies securely in your hands and does not slip, although its dimensions are very large for a 5-inch device. In the box, in addition to the standard set of accessories, you will find a screwdriver for unscrewing the case - a small thing, but the manufacturers of most Chinese smartphones do not take such care.

The autonomy is a little let down, despite the good battery capacity of 4400 mAh, the phone rarely survives until the evening of the second day with moderately active use. Some owners of VERTEX Impress Grip in reviews complain about the quality of signal reception when working in 3G/LTE networks, allegedly the Internet on the phone often drops out, but no problems were found with this in the city. Since the model is not the newest and will soon be discontinued, you can now buy it at good discounts.

UleFone Armor X5 Pro

Before turning to more advanced models, let's focus on another budget defender.

The Ulefone representative is not pretentious in use, and the contents of the device can hardly be called advanced. This is an inexpensive device, characterized by relatively stable operation and reliable assembly.

Pros:

• metal case;
• latest generation wireless communications;
• favorable price-to-fill ratio.

Minuses:

• modest parameters.

The best budget smartphones with a rugged body

DOOGEE S55

• The most compact budget car
• Country: China
• Price: 14000 RUR
• Rating (2021): 4.7

The protected state employee was released in 2022, but is still relevant. There is 4GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in memory. MediaTek MT6750 processor at 1500 MHz, which is quite enough for working with applications and simple games. The battery of the device is average, 5500 mAh. The 5.5-inch IPS screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.

• Advantages
  Good performance
• Pure Android

Blackview BV6800 Pro

• The best shockproof budget phone
• Country: China
• Price: 13500 RUR
• Rating (2021): 4.9

The device appeared on the market in 2022, but still remains popular and is sold even in marketplaces like Beru or Ozone. The battery size is excellent - 6580mAh, which is more than enough for a full day of work. There is enough RAM - 4GB, and the device has a good processor, MediaTek MT6750. The built-in memory is 64 GB, but there is a slot for expansion. There are only 2 cameras and they are of average quality. The screen diagonal is 5.7 inches and is protected by Gorilla Glass 3.

• Advantages
  Good autonomy
• Adequate price
• Availability in a large number of stores
• NFC availability

Blackview BV6600

And here is the promised device of a higher level. The BV6600 does not surpass previous models in terms of performance, but it gives a head start in terms of autonomy.

Having a huge battery on board, the phone holds a charge for a very long time. Therefore, if you are not chasing performance, then you can avoid overpaying and choose the BV6600.

Pros:

• impressive battery;
• photo with background blur effect;
• the purchase does not hurt your wallet.

Minuses:

• the filling is far from ideal.

Conclusion

If you need a device for use in extreme conditions, it makes sense to pay attention to inexpensive “Chinese” ones, such as the Blackview BV6800 Pro or Ulefone Armor 7. If you need a dialer, it is better to buy a phone, because you will remember the need to charge it once every a few months. Of course, with flagships, protection is an additional option and not what they are bought for.

5 questions to ask yourself before buying

1. Under what conditions will the gadget be used? For normal everyday use, it is hardly worth purchasing a heavy and bulky “all-terrain vehicle” with a shockproof body. It is more advisable to protect a regular “civilian” model with a cover.
2. How much are you willing to spend? This question will not only save you time when choosing, but also resist the temptation to purchase a more expensive model.
3. What characteristics are most important to you? By drawing up the basic criteria for yourself, you can purchase the most optimal model for your tasks.
4. How long do you plan to use the device? If you change phones like gloves for one reason or another, it’s hardly worth choosing among expensive models.
5. What will you wear your phone? If you are going to carry a gadget in your pocket, give preference to compact models.

AGM X3 6/64Gb

If you fundamentally want to get not just a protected, but also a flagship device, then AGM X3 will be one of the few options for you.

The model is protected to all necessary standards, has a camera for night photography, and a powerful processor. True, you will have to overpay a little for such a filling.

Pros:

• technical equipment;
• pressure, humidity and temperature sensors;
• weighs no more than 200 grams.

Minuses:

• high cost.

Rating 2022

Those with an impenetrable body are not particularly popular, as they look brutal, weigh a lot and are huge in size. But for some people, such devices are the only option. However, we must not forget that security varies.

Now many flagships are available with IP68 water protection. But these devices will not survive a fall from a table onto a tile. But they look beautiful. However, to each his own. Some people don't need tanks protected on all sides. Simple moisture protection is enough. In general, here is a list of those devices that can be called protected (albeit with a stretch).

This list includes both fully protected monsters and waterproof smartphones that are aimed at the mass segment. In any case, it is worth considering all the models in more detail, as they contain a lot of interesting things.

Apple iPhone Xs Max 256GB

Apple iPhone Xs Max 256GB Of course, the first on the list of protected devices is the iPhone Xs Max. However, it only has IP68 water protection. But it is not recommended to test it for strength. Most likely, he will not survive the fall from the table.

But the device is incredibly powerful, supports all modern technologies and has an incredible screen. It is also worth noting the excellent camera (one of the best in the premium segment).

Apple iPhone Xs Max is expensive. But this is a smartphone from a company from Cupertino. And this is more than just filling and OS. It's a brand and a cult. And it is customary to pay money for this. In any case, the smartphone turned out to be very decent.

PROS:

• Trendy design from Apple
• Excellent cameras
• Incredible performance
• Very good autonomy
• IP water protection

MINUSES:

• Very high price

HUAWEI P30 Pro

HUAWEI P30 Pro A fresh flagship from a cult manufacturer from China. The smartphone features a superb design, an incredibly powerful hardware platform and an excellent camera, which was created in collaboration with Leica engineers.

It is thanks to this that the photographic capabilities of the device are amazing. The user also receives an incredible screen quality and support for the latest technologies. The manufacturer claims water protection class IP68. But the body is not reinforced.

But there is a very capacious battery that allows the flagship to easily work for 2 days. For a premium device, this is incredible autonomy. And the price tag for the device is much nicer than in the case of the iPhone.

PROS:

• Chic design
• Superb screen
• Great cameras
• Impressive autonomy
• IP68 water protection
• Powerful hardware platform

MINUSES:

• The price is high for the average user

Caterpillar Cat S61

Caterpillar Cat S61 A real monster from the famous company CAT, which specializes in the production of construction equipment. This is a real secure device. It is IP68 water resistant and boasts a reinforced and rubberized metal body.

He is not afraid of falling from great heights. The device is equipped with a fairly powerful hardware platform, supports modern options and has Android 8.0 on board. There is also an excellent quality display and a dual main camera.

The battery capacity is such that the device can easily last 3 days in standard use. The device comes with a special carabiner. The user receives all this for a relatively adequate amount.

PROS:

• Brutal appearance
• Fully protected housing
• Relatively powerful hardware platform
• Good screen
• Supports all modern options
• Impressive battery life

MINUSES:

• Large size and weight

AGM X3 8/128GB

AGM X3 8/128GB And this is a real tank with the characteristics of a flagship. The device has a reinforced shockproof case, a shock-absorbing mount under the screen and IP68 water protection. However, this is not the main thing.

Inside the gadget there is a powerful filling. The device has an excellent quality screen, a dual main camera with impressive characteristics and stereo speakers from the very famous company JBL.

At the same time, the device has excellent autonomy and has fairly miniature dimensions (compared to devices of the same class). That is why it has every chance of becoming a bestseller. Especially considering its price.

PROS:

• Shockproof housing
• Shock-absorbing screen mount
• Great display
• Good cameras
• Excellent autonomy
• Small dimensions and weight
• Good price

MINUSES:

• Was not noticed

Samsung Galaxy S10 8/128GB

Samsung Galaxy S10 8/128GB The flagship from the Koreans got into this top for a reason. This device, with all its flagship characteristics, has IP68 water protection. He calmly tolerates immersion in water for half an hour.

At the same time, there is an incredibly powerful hardware platform, excellent cameras and an excellent AMOLED screen, which many call limitless. Don't forget about the attractive design.

But the autonomy is not as good as we would like. The device barely survives a full day of operation. However, this is the problem with all Samsung flagships. But the user receives support for all modern options and incredible power.

PROS:

• Very powerful hardware platform
• Excellent cameras
• Gorgeous display
• Trendy design
• IP water protection

MINUSES:

• Low battery life

Blackview BV9500 Pro

Blackview BV9500 Pro Another Chinese device that can survive almost all adversities. It has an excellent protected housing and IP68 waterproof rating. In addition, the device has quite powerful hardware.

The smartphone has a dual camera, supports almost all modern technologies and can be equipped with an external antenna for more reliable signal reception. There is an option to use it as a walkie-talkie.

The autonomy of the device is impressive. He calmly survives 2 days of work. And in standby mode it can work for up to a month. This is an excellent result. And most importantly, the price of a smartphone does not bite.

PROS:

• Fully protected shockproof housing
• Productive hardware platform
• Great screen
• Dual main camera
• Decent autonomy
• External antenna connection option

MINUSES:

• Too heavy

DOOGEE S90 6/128GB

DOOGEE S90 6/128GB Another Chinese tank, protected from all sides. It survives falls even from the third floor and has IP68 water protection. At the same time, the characteristics of the device are very impressive. It looks no worse than other devices.

The device has a large screen, a dual camera, a powerful processor, an impressive amount of RAM and large built-in storage. There is also support for all modern options (including LTE and A-GPS).

The smartphone supports the connection of external modules for a night vision device, an additional battery, and a digital walkie-talkie module. Autonomy is quite acceptable. And the price is reasonable.

PROS:

• Fully protected housing
• Great screen
• Not bad cameras
• Relatively productive platform
• Connecting external modules
• Excellent autonomy

MINUSES:

• The device is too heavy and bulky

Ulefone Armor 6E

Ulefone Armor 6E Incredible power in an armored case. This is exactly how one could characterize this smartphone. The device can easily withstand any loads and falls, and also has IP68 water protection.

The smartphone has a powerful processor, an impressive amount of RAM and an excellent dual camera. The screen is also top notch. Not to mention support for all modern data transfer technologies.

The battery of the device allows it to work quietly for 2-2.5 days without recharging. This is an excellent result for a flagship (albeit Chinese). But the main thing is a very affordable price tag. Almost everyone can afford this device.

PROS:

• The housing is protected on all sides
• Productive filling
• Great screen
• Great cameras
• Impressive autonomy
• Small sizes
• Good price

MINUSES:

• Was not noticed

DOOGEE S60

DOOGEE S60 Another DOOGIE in our rating. This device definitely looks like a real tank. It is clad in durable armor on almost all sides and easily survives almost any external influence. But it's also too big and incredibly heavy.

Under the hood of this tank lies a powerful processor, a huge amount of RAM, excellent cameras and wireless charging. A very advanced device for such a brutal look. There is also a fingerprint scanner and NFC support.

The battery is simply gigantic. It allows the device to work quietly for 2-2.5 days even with its power. But the device, of course, is not suitable for everyone. But the price tag is very tasty. The purchase will not make a hole in the family budget even for very thrifty buyers.

PROS:

• Very brutal appearance
• Fully protected housing
• Relatively productive platform
• Not bad cameras
• Great screen
• Wireless charging support
• Acceptable price

MINUSES:

• Too big and heavy

Blackview BV6800 Pro

Blackview BV6800 Pro And our rating is rounded off by another tough guy from China. It also has a fully protected body, but its characteristics are a little more modest than those of our previous heroes. But the price tag is very appetizing.

The smartphone has a relatively powerful processor and decent amounts of RAM and ROM. There is a dual camera, a fingerprint scanner and support for all modern data transfer technologies.

The impressive battery capacity allows the device to work for up to 3 days. And this is almost a record. This smartphone even has a face unlock option. It is also not as heavy as its brothers.

PROS:

• The housing is completely protected from external influences
• Relatively productive filling
• Great cameras
• Good screen
• Impressive performance
• Relatively light weight and compact dimensions
• Appetizing price tag

MINUSES:

• Was not noticed

Blackview BV5100

Let's turn again to budget devices and look at the creation of the Blackview brand.

Unlike other competitors, the phone has a rear camera extension. But the rest of the parameters look modest, not offering anything supernatural.

Pros:

• wide camera;
• IP69K certification;
• NFC module.

Minuses:

• slowness.

A few things to keep in mind

Below we list some subtleties of the rating:

• The water resistance test is often carried out in fresh water; salty environments are more aggressive.
• Taking a shower can ruin your phone. The pressure that comes from the jets can damage the device.
• Some devices need to close the ports (headphones, charging) to prevent water from leaking out.
• Temperature also affects preservation. Saunas, steam baths and hot tubs can be harmful. Do not press the buttons (volume, power, camera).

OUKITEL WP7

The best option for those who are not ready to overpay for flagship models, but at the same time want to get a decent smartphone from the category of secure devices.

It is impossible to find fault with WP7, no matter how you look at it. There is a 48-megapixel camera, a FullHD screen, a fast chipset, and a large battery. The only disadvantage of such a device is its dimensions.

Pros:

• impeccable photos for the price;
• stable operation;
• 8000 mAh battery.

Minuses:

• sizes.

Doogee S59 Pro

The record holder of the selection in terms of autonomy and one of the best representatives of the rating in terms of price and filling ratio.

Yes, the device’s screen is far from ideal, but this budget device has a multifunctional camera and an incredible 10k mAh battery. For such parameters, you can forgive the P22 processor, which scores less than 100 thousand points in AnTuTu.

Pros:

• long work without power;
• quad camera;
• optimal cost.

Minuses:

• slow problem solving.

№1 – Caterpillar CAT S61

Price: 60,000 rubles.

• Display: 5.2″, IPS, resolution 1920×1080 px;
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 630;
• Memory: 64/4 + microSD up to 128 GB;
• Camera: main 16 MP, front 8 MP;
• Battery: 4500 mAh;
• Dimensions: 78x163x13 mm, weight - 250 g.
• Protection: IP68, MIL-STD-810G.

Comparing this monster with other representatives of our list is not entirely correct; CAT S61 is an absolutely original story. The phone has a thermal imager, which hints at the purpose of its use: for hunting lovers, it is absolutely the best option available on the market. The number of other unique features like an air pollution sensor, a built-in thermometer and a rangefinder is simply off the charts. In terms of security, this is a standard gadget that can be dropped from a height, immersed under water with it, and subjected to any tests.

The 4500 mAh battery provides an optimal balance between the device’s dimensions and battery life; on one charge the device lasts an average of 3-4 days. The disadvantage is obvious - the simply astronomical price. Taking into account the very average hardware and an unremarkable camera, the gadget will be of interest only to users who are not strapped for money, who need a truly protected device with unique functionality. But these people will certainly be satisfied with it - a well-deserved first place in the ranking of shock-resistant and moisture-resistant smartphones!

Doogee S86

A much faster device with a similar price tag, but a less impressive battery.

8500 mAh is still a lot, so autonomy cannot be considered a disadvantage of the S86. The only disadvantage is the quality of the screen, but this is also explained by the price.

Pros:

• 4 photosensors;
• capacious battery;
• decent hardware.

Minuses:

• HD matrix resolution.

Ulefone Armor 9

A mid-class model that offers a fast processor, a clear screen, and a cool camera.

The autonomy of Armor 9 is also excellent, so only a professional critic can find fault with the device. But the cost of 30 thousand rubles is far from the most adequate indicator even for such characteristics.

Pros:

• picture quality;
• decent MTK chip;
• long operation without recharging.

Minuses:

• overcharge.

Doogee S86 Pro

Despite the “Pro” prefix in the name, this smartphone is not a flagship, although it tries to be as close to it as possible.

The phone has a balanced hardware, the characteristics of which include the battery on the positive side and the screen on the negative side. It suffers from pixelation.

Pros:

• functional photo sensors;
• optimization;
• 8500 mAh battery.

Minuses:

• pixelated display.

Doogee S88 Pro

Another “program” from the same manufacturer with more interesting characteristics.

It already uses a FullHD matrix, a 21-megapixel camera and a battery with an almost record 10k mAh. The indicators are worthy of respect for the declared 20 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• price and characteristics;
• screen;
• battery.

Minuses:

• weighs almost 400 grams.