Everyone has their own priorities when they’re looking to buy a new cell phone. But if you’re an employee who might end up wrecking your phone in the field, the newest rugged smartphones are worth checking out!
The best Rugged phones have tough exterior shells and waterproof cases that can withstand work conditions where most other phones would quickly break. And what’s more, many of them have been designed specifically to work underwater and in extreme temperatures.
If you need a new phone that can withstand the bumps and bruises of a rough work environment, then this blog will give you the information you need to find the best Rugged Phone for your need.
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How to choose the Best Rugged Phone for you
When you’re looking to buy a new phone, there are a few things you should look for. Here are the most important factors to consider when shopping for the best Rugged phone:
Durability: You should find a rugged phone that is built to withstand the conditions in which you work. A phone that is not only waterproof but has a hard and sturdy case so it can stand up to drops and bumps.
Waterproof: Most people are still hesitant about water damage, but if you have a rugged phone that can withstand being submerged underwater then you’re good! You don’t have to worry about taking your phone with you on job sites or using it in areas where there are potentially wet conditions and water.
Display size: You’ll want to look for a rugged cell phone that has a bigger display. This is helpful for work as you’ll be able to see the information on the screen more easily. It’s also helpful when working with your phone. You can see things better and it’s easier to read!
Speed: Sometimes you’re in a hurry, so when looking for a rugged phone you’ll want to make sure it’s fast. Consider the speed of your data as well as the processor. Sometimes rugged phones are slower because they have more protection in them, but you should still try to find one that is fast enough for you to be able to do what you need to do on it.
Responsive Touch: When you’re working in a tough working environment, there is no room for lag. You need a rugged phone that is responsive and easy to use. Consider how quickly the touch screen responds, as well as the interface (how it looks and works).
Memory and storage: When you’re looking for the best Rugged phone, you should look for one that has a good amount of memory. This will make your phone usable, as well as increase the speed at that you can access it. Look for enough space to store photos, videos, and files so you don’t have to worry about deleting or losing them!
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The Best Rugged Phones NZ
1. CAT S61 Premium Rugged phone 
This rugged smartphone is great for someone that has a lot of work to do and they need a smartphone that will last the test of time. The best part about this phone is that it’s water-resistant up to 3 meters and its rugged design allows you to keep your phone safe no matter what the conditions are. It has tested the durability of this phone to drop it from a height of 1.8 meters and it didn’t break, and it’s also dust-proof which means you don’t have to worry about the phone getting damaged by things like sand and dirt.
This phone has a 5.2-inch display with 1920 × 1080 resolution, 4GB of RAM, Qualcomm SD630 Octacore 2.2GHz Processor and internal storage of 64GB. This is one of the best-rugged phones available on the market.
2. CAT S42 H+ Plus
With a 5.65” HD display, the CAT S42 H+ Plus is a powerful smartphone with a major upgrade in its 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM. It has a Mediatek Helio A20 Quad-core 1.8 GHz processor and a 4200mAh battery, which allows you to keep the phone powered for a long time. This CAT S42 H+ Plus is dust and shockproof, so you can take it everywhere you go without worrying about damaging it. It is also drop-proof, so you can take it with you anywhere.
3. Nokia X20 – Dual Sim 5G
The Nokia X20 is a beautiful and powerful smartphone. It features a 6.67″ FHD+ screen, a 32MP front camera, a 64MP quad camera, and an e 2-day battery life. It has an amazing 128GB/6GB storage space and dual sim 5G. The Nokia X20 also has an intelligent AI-powered 64MP quad camera. It utilizes the latest in AI algorithms to recognize people and objects around you and ensure you get the best photo possible.
4. Ulefone Armor 9
The Ulefone Armor 9 is a great phone for rugged use, as it is waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant. It also has a 6.3in full HD+ screen with 409ppi and Gorilla Glass 5 toughened glass protection. The FLIR thermal imaging sensor provides an eye-catching feature, while the Helio P90 AI Octa-Core processor and 8GB RAM are great to have in such a device. It has IP69K Mil-Spec Waterproof protection means that you can take this phone anywhere you want without worrying about getting your smartphone wet or dirty. It has a 6600mAh battery with quick charging, which can provide you with up to 2 days’ endurance.
5. Doogee S97 Pro Rugged Smartphone
Doogee S97 Pro Rugged Phone is a rugged smartphone that features the powerful Helio G95 Octa-Core processor, 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of user memory. It also has improved scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 5 that protects the 6.39″ HD display and a triple-proofing system that includes IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810G rating protection. This best Rugged Phone also offers a 48MP camera system with an advanced VCM focusing function as well as fast charging capabilities for its big 8500mA battery.
6. Umidigi Bison X10 Pro
Umidigi has come out with a new rugged phone that is perfect for the outdoors. The Bison X10 Pro is an IP68-certified rugged phone and can withstand even being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes up to 1.5m from the surface of the water.
This phone has a 6.53″ screen that is also easy to see in direct sunlight as it features a Full HD+ resolution of 1600×720 pixels with a wide viewing angle at 170° and 287PPI density. It contains a front 8MP, rear 20MP, ultra wide-angle 8MP camera lens, and macro 5M camera lens which all make this device more convenient to use when taking pictures or videos outside or even when on the go. The Bison X10 Pro also has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of ROM for storing all your files, apps and photos. There is also a 6250mAh embedded battery in the device which can last up to 2 days with normal usage.
7. Umidigi Bison Rugged Smartphone
The Umidigi Bison Rugged Smartphone is an impressive rugged smartphone. It has a large 6.3-inch display and an FHD+ resolution of 2340×1080. The Bison’s battery is also large, with a 5000mAh capacity that supports Quick Charge up to 18W for fast charging. The memory is solid too, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB ROM backing it up, along with the strength of Corning Gorilla Glass protection on the screen material. It has a 48MP Sony primary camera and a 16MP ultra wide-angle camera.