Best rugged Android phone 2024

Smartphones these days are pretty fragile. That shouldn't be a surprise, considering they're designed with shiny glass back panels, smooth metal frames, and other sleek elements to make them attractive but not very tough. That's all well and good if you prefer form over function, but what if you couldn't care less about looks and simply want a device that you don't need to baby all the time? This is where rugged phones, which are designed to take a beating, come into the picture.

The best rugged Android phones don't get a lot of attention, but they're a must-have for the millions of people who need something that can withstand the rigors of their job or lifestyle. Of course, like every other category of smartphones, there are quite a lot of them to pick from.

Do note that these aren't the kind of smartphones we'd usually recommend if you're shopping for the best Android phone, as they often tend to be a bit basic in terms of overall performance, camera quality, and things like that. However, these things are extremely sturdy and can withstand even the harshest of environments. They often also come with additional features like night vision cameras and big batteries.

Having tested and reviewed hundreds of them, these are some of the best rugged Android phones we've found. Read all about them and take your pick!

At a glance

Best overall

While Samsung's flagships are undoubtedly among the best Android phones available out there, they're all quite fragile. If you want something that's a bit more rugged from the brand, look no further than the Galaxy XCover6 Pro.

Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 778G SoC, the Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro features 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, with the latter being expandable via a microSD card. Its 6.6-inch TFT LCD panel may not compare to the AMOLED screens found on top-of-the-line smartphones, but the display is still sharp and big enough for everyday tasks. It's also secured with a layer of Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus+ for improved protection against any and all kinds of damage. The smartphone complies with the MIL-STD-810H standard, which means it can survive being dropped from a height up to 1.5m. It's also backed by an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Benefiting from Samsung's excellent software update policy, the Galaxy XCover6 Pro will be updated (at least) to Android 15. It features a dual-lens rear camera system with 4K video recording. Rounding off the spec sheet is a removable 4,050mAh battery with 25W fast charging support.

Runner up

Back in the day, Nokia phones were known for being indestructible, but those were the days of 'feature phones,' and smartphones of today are entirely different. Even then, the updated Nokia XR21 manages to continue the legacy of its predecessor(s) with its ultra-rugged design, IP69K-rated dust and water resistance, as well as military-grade construction. You also get a 3.5mm audio port and a microSD card slot, which are big pluses in today's world.

The XR21 has biometric unlocking and will be supported until 2026 with Android OS upgrades. Since most rugged phones hardly get one platform update, it's leaps and bounds ahead of its competition. The big battery can be charged via USB-C at 33W, and the 64MP primary sensor should be able to get you decent images.

Unlike most rugged Android phones on the market, the Nokia XR21 doesn't embrace the heavy-duty aesthetic and opts for a lighter, more mature form factor. Compared to the XR20, the new model is lighter, has a 120Hz display, gets a more powerful Snapdragon 695 SoC, a larger battery, and higher resolution main and selfie cameras. Overall, this is still one of the better rugged phones available in the market right now, even more so if you can get it at a discount.

Best value

With an integrated 109dB loudspeaker, the AGM H5 Pro packs in the loudest audio output of just about any Android phone out there. It's cheaper compared to most of the other rugged phones out there and offers stock Android software, along with an extremely durable design backed by IP68 and IP69K ratings. Since there's an IR sensor too, you can shoot videos and photos with night vision, which is really cool.

Although the camera setup isn't the best, you'll be satisfied with the H5 Pro's specs as they can take any flagship Android phone head-on. If 128GB storage isn't enough, you can always increase it via the microSD card slot. You'll be amazed by the gigantic 7,000mAh battery, but charging it up will take its sweet time.

AGM H5 Pro comes with clean stock Android 12 software right out of the box, so it's easy and fun to use. Sadly, the phone won't get any more OS upgrades.

Best battery

When looking for the best rugged Android phone, you'll want something that lasts all day, has plenty of extra tools to make life (and work) easier, and has enough power to handle everyday tasks. Ulefone's Power Armor 13 delivers on all these fronts, as it offers an infrared distance measuring feature, which is just one of the many built-in goodies it comes with.

Powered by MediaTek's Helio G95 SoC, the Power Armor 13 has 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage, a large 6.81-inch display, and a gargantuan 13,200mAh battery. The heavy-duty phone touts IP68 water and dust resistance, and an enduring design that is compliant with the MIL-STD-810G standard.

Impressively, Ulefone Power Armor 13 features 33W wired, 15W wireless, and even 5W reverse wireless charging. This means you can top up other devices or phones that charge wirelessly with this thing. It's worth mentioning that there's no support for 5G, and the cameras aren't anything to write home about either.

Best compact

It's nigh impossible to find a smartphone these days that can be used with one hand, which is why we're glad that something like Doogee Smini exists. If you despise huge devices and want something that's both tough and pocketable, this is the answer.

Measuring 5.24 x 2.36 x 0.53 inches and weighing a mere 5.47 ounces, the Smini is a compact wonder. It's driven by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset and comes with 8GB of RAM. You also get 256GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to an incredible 2TB via a microSD card. The smartphone's 4.5-inch IPS LCD panel might take some time getting used to, but it works well for what it is. You even get a nifty secondary display on the back that shows information like battery level. Compliant with the MIL-STD-810H standard, the Smini also comes with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Doogee's software update policy isn't exactly the best out there, which means the Smini will probably remain on Android 13. That said, you do get a dual-lens primary camera setup, along with goodies like NFC payments, face unlock, and a 3,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

Best budget

Most rugged phones tend to have some sort of compromise or the other like a low resolution display, no 5G, or are simply too bulky. The Oukitel WP35 is one of those exceptions that offers regular smartphone-like luxuries at an affordable price. This rugged phone has a IP69K  and MIL-STD-810H rating, and isn't too unsightly to look at. You actually get a choice of colors, which is not something we see often.

Under that tough exterior are modern specs which are quite respectable for 2024. The WP35 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ 5G chipset, and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The latter is expandable by up to 2TB using a microSD card. The phone also has a massive 11,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, and Oukitel has managed to keep the thickness down to 15mm.

The cameras on the Oukitel WP35 are also quite impressive, well, most of them anyway. There's a main 64MP Sony IMX682 sensor for main camera duties and an 8MP night vision camera. There's a third 2MP macro camera, but I wouldn't put to much stock in that one. The selfie camera should be quite capable too with a 32MP Sony IMX616 sensor.

• Back to the top ^

How to choose

If we had to make a rugged choice

All of the above-mentioned best rugged Android phones are great in their own right, but if we had to pick a winner, it'd be Samsung's Galaxy XCover6 Pro. While not really a flagship, it comes with more than decent hardware that's capable of making quick work of just about anything you throw at it. It also has a removable battery, which is a rarity these days, and is backed by an excellent software update policy. In fact, the XCover6 Pro can even hold its own against a mainstream value-for-money device like the Google Pixel 8a. We also suggest checking out Nokia's XR20, which continues to be a fairly good option despite being a little old at this point. It won't get any updates beyond Android 14 but features like wireless charging and stereo speakers make it a solid choice.

If you're not a fan of bulky smartphones, you're going to love Doogee's Smini. Much smaller than the best small phones currently available in the market, it comes with features like a secondary display on the back, 256GB onboard storage that you can expand up to 2TB, and NFC for hassle-free payments. Finally, the Oukitel WP35 is a great budget pick for anyone looking for modern specs and a massive battery, in a slim and affordable form factor.