rugged Smartphones

[jostow]

which rugged smartphone you have and what are your favorite features?

[Nyezhov]

There is a guy here called Daocat that is a cell phone maven. I expect him to chime in.

 

I myself would rather have plastic or metal than all glass. Whenever I have a high end phone, it goes into an Otterbox or the like.

 

I destroy phones. I smashed 2 cheap ZTE all glassers in the past few months and broke the camera on an Honor 6x although its held up otherwise. But its not all glass, its plastic or ,metAl... I just grabbed a Nokia 6.. Aluminum back. Lets see.

[daocat555]

Chime, chime, and chime.  I like this topic because it hasn't been done recently and there are some people here who can use a rugged phone.  Tchradar.pro rated the top 5 rugged phones.

 

https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-rugged-smartphones-of-2018

 

While ToughGadget offered 13 on their Best Rugged list.

 

https://www.toughgadget.com/best-rugged-smartphones-unlocked/

 

And EMReview has a list of 11 best rugged phones.

 

MBReviews

 

If I am buying one, and I'm not, I carry a delicate Meizu 15 with no case or screen protector in a designated pants pocket; no coins or keys in that pocket to scratch the phone, oh, I digress; if I'm buying one, I'll go for the Samsung S9 active when it comes out.  No huge weight burden, Super Amoled screen, reasonable size; about the only burden is Samsung's bloatware.

[2008bangkok]

Look at the Blackview range they do some good rugged phones with decent batteries, specs and a decent price.

[Nyezhov]

23 hours ago, daocat555 said:

Chime, chime, and chime.  I like this topic because it hasn't been done recently and there are some people here who can use a rugged phone.  Tchradar.pro rated the top 5 rugged phones.

 

https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-rugged-smartphones-of-2018

 

While ToughGadget offered 13 on their Best Rugged list.

 

https://www.toughgadget.com/best-rugged-smartphones-unlocked/

 

And EMReview has a list of 11 best rugged phones.

 

MBReviews

 

If I am buying one, and I'm not, I carry a delicate Meizu 15 with no case or screen protector in a designated pants pocket; no coins or keys in that pocket to scratch the phone, oh, I digress; if I'm buying one, I'll go for the Samsung S9 active when it comes out.  No huge weight burden, Super Amoled screen, reasonable size; about the only burden is Samsung's bloatware.

Doacat those phones are industrial. They arent for slipping in a pants pocket ?

 

I think the issue of phone durability should be confined to those which do slip in the pants pocket.

 

PS I have been playing with that Nokia. Dude, Android without bloatware? <deleted> me running, I will never buy a Samsung or Huaweii or anything not pure Android again! Its like heaven!

 

I am using Nova Launcher simply because I am used to it.

 

[daocat555]

Nyezhov...don't feed my troll.  But you are so wrong about every phone on my lists as being non-pocketable.  I went to every list I posted and then the first phone on that list.  And the first phone on this list may be one of the bigger phones, as, you know, it is a list of best rugged phones.

 

Then compare them with your Nokia 6.1

 

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/2ca111918c

 

For me I always buy traveler clothing.  So for me I would say a reasonable pant pocket phone would be less than 78 mm wide, and, I don't know, 169 mm long.  If i use that criteria, then you have a point, only the Cat S41 meets pocket friendly stipulations.  But people vary in what size works for them.  I carry my tiny Meizu 15 in my shirt pocket at times when I am expecting a phone call, and even in the pocket of a T-Shirt it works for me.  

 

Many people agree with you about only wanting a phone which has pure Android OS.  I don't.  I recommend the Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro before the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite as it is less expensive.

 

Funny thing is the OP has asked which rugged phone people use and not one person has responded with a model they own and use.  2008bangkok do you own and like a Blackview?  Nyeshov's phone has gotten high marks in reviews as being built in a rugged fashion but it's not even IP68 Certified.  Which, come Songkran time, would be a minimum for a rugged phone.

 

Also Corning now has Gorilla Glass 6 which new high end phones are using, and is said to be able to withstand a drops onto a hard surface without cracking. 

[Nyezhov]

6 hours ago, daocat555 said:

Nyeshov's phone has gotten high marks in reviews as being built in a rugged fashion but it's not even IP68 Certified.  Which, come Songkran time, would be a minimum for a rugged phone.

Ah yes.

 

I can give any phone IP68 with Ziplocks....

 

Unfortunately cant take it out ?

[2008bangkok]

21 hours ago, daocat555 said:

2008bangkok do you own and like a Blackview?  

 

I own the P10000 pro yes, great sturdy phone bit bulky but It has a 11,0000 mah battery on it which I only need to charge every 3 days with around 16hrs of SOT usage out of .

It isn't a rugged phone as such but Im recommending taking a look at the rugged phones they do have because if they work aswell as the p10000 pro id be happy.

if you want to spend a bit more check out the AGM X3 released today with what looks like amazing specs for $500  https://www.xiaomitoday.com/agm-x3-unboxing/

[sandrabbit]

I have a Ruggear smartphone which I have had for 5 years and their line of phones are tough.

 

https://ruggear.com

[melvinmelvin]

rugged;

 

LG Wine Smart

 

flip phone, smartphone, can take some rain and can take some beating

 

 

[ronaldo0]

Have had 2 HTC phones and both been dropped a million times and not damaged . Both were in Spigen slim armour cases though which is probably the reason.

Just upgraded to  HTC U11 eyes as just same as the 11 almost and waterproof . So far no problems and been dropped few times already !

[Nyezhov]

3 hours ago, ronaldo0 said:

Have had 2 HTC phones and both been dropped a million times and not damaged . Both were in Spigen slim armour cases though which is probably the reason.

Just upgraded to  HTC U11 eyes as just same as the 11 almost and waterproof . So far no problems and been dropped few times already !

Spigen cases are pretty good.

[recycler]

No matter how rugged the phone is your Thai inlaws will brake it in no time....

[ronaldo0]

On ‎9‎/‎1‎/‎2018 at 7:47 PM, Nyezhov said:

Spigen cases are pretty good.

Only make I buy now. So far not one cracked screen or broken phone.

[Nyezhov]

44 minutes ago, ronaldo0 said:

Only make I buy now. So far not one cracked screen or broken phone.

Otterboxes are far superior but I will agree Spigem makes a nice cheap one.

[ronaldo0]

11 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Otterboxes are far superior but I will agree Spigem makes a nice cheap one.

Wouldn't exactly say 1600 bht was cheap but still cheaper than a new screen im sure .?

[daocat555]

Here are four rugged phones.  People interested in the soon to be released Doogee S70 can sign up for a 40% discount (go to device specifications for details) which is a substantial discount on this interesting phone, with a nice screen and CPU but which has a massive 278 gram weight.  That is with a smaller battery (5500 mAh) than the Blackview (6580 mAh) which reportedly weighs 179 grams (readers might want to double check that as it seems too light for a rugged phone with that size battery).

 

The Cubot is an okay mid-range type phone but is hampered by its 247 gram weigh and the CAT is the sleek model in the group.

 

 Comparison between: Doogee S70, Cubot King Kong, Blackview BV6800 Pro, Cat S61

 

[Stocky]

Oppo are pretty robust, my wife's cousin dropped her Oppo phone whilst pillion on a motorbike and watched the car behind run over it. She was most surprised to find it, bar a few scratches and a dent, intact and still working when she recovered it from the road.

 

.

[daocat555]

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/970111b61d

 

Well, I looked up the price on the CAT phone and it's sky high so that one is out, but I think I found the best rugged phone yet to replace it; the Ulefone Armor 5.

 

Note how much better the Ulefone screen-to-body ratio is compared to the others (which are not named Samsung).  It is fairly sleek for its screen size although not light.  And it is currently on sale at coolcool for $189.99.

 

Good story about the Oppo, but tires soften the cars weight by a lot; any non rugged phone might have survived or might have been destroyed.  The rugged phones give you a better chance.

 

 

 

 

[KhunHeineken]

On 8/29/2018 at 12:39 PM, 2008bangkok said:

Look at the Blackview range they do some good rugged phones with decent batteries, specs and a decent price.

 

I have the Blackview bv9000 Pro.  It's rugged.  Really rugged.  The specs are comparable, if not better, than many high end phones.  Google "Blackview tourture tests youtube" for some video clips of what the phone can take. 

 

My only complaint is it does not have a separate 3.5mm port for earphones, so you can not charge the phone and listen to music at the same time.  I believe this is to boost its waterproof ability.   

 

Also, the Type C cable needs to be genuine Blackview, because it has an extended nose to reach in to the port past the rubber protection case.  They do give you an adapter to take standard mini USB cables, but I just bought a spare genuine cable. 

 

The fast charger is fast, really fast.  I am happy with my purchase. 

[daocat555]

I have two problems with the Blackview line.  They are certainly rugged but they tend to be, well, huge.  The second problem is the Blackview BV9600 Plus was shown on YouTube as far back as April, 2018.  And yet it still isn't available for sale.  Blackview seems to want to sell as many as they can of the inferior BV6800 Pro first.  The Blackview BV9600 seems to be so much better than the BV6800, particularly with the screen size, the CPU, the camera, and it's 12.85 mm thick, which by no means svelte, compares well to the BV6800 which is 14.8 mm think.

 

Here are the 2 newer Blackviews compared to KhunHeineken's BV9000 Pro.  In terms of upgrading my suggestion for Blackview buyers is to pass on the BV6800 and wait until the BV9600 finally arrives at stores.  Since the phone appears to be basically ready to produce, hopefully Blackview won't stall for too much longer.  KhunHeineken, if interested you would be getting a bigger battery and screen in a smaller phone with a much stronger camera and CPU.

 

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/386711e27f

[2008bangkok]

19 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

I have the Blackview bv9000 Pro.  It's rugged.  Really rugged.  The specs are comparable, if not better, than many high end phones.  Google "Blackview tourture tests youtube" for some video clips of what the phone can take. 

 

My only complaint is it does not have a separate 3.5mm port for earphones, so you can not charge the phone and listen to music at the same time.  I believe this is to boost its waterproof ability.   

 

Also, the Type C cable needs to be genuine Blackview, because it has an extended nose to reach in to the port past the rubber protection case.  They do give you an adapter to take standard mini USB cables, but I just bought a spare genuine cable. 

 

The fast charger is fast, really fast.  I am happy with my purchase. 

 

18 hours ago, daocat555 said:

I have two problems with the Blackview line.  They are certainly rugged but they tend to be, well, huge.  The second problem is the Blackview BV9600 Plus was shown on YouTube as far back as April, 2018.  And yet it still isn't available for sale.  Blackview seems to want to sell as many as they can of the inferior BV6800 Pro first.  The Blackview BV9600 seems to be so much better than the BV6800, particularly with the screen size, the CPU, the camera, and it's 12.85 mm thick, which by no means svelte, compares well to the BV6800 which is 14.8 mm think.

 

Here are the 2 newer Blackviews compared to KhunHeineken's BV9000 Pro.  In terms of upgrading my suggestion for Blackview buyers is to pass on the BV6800 and wait until the BV9600 finally arrives at stores.  Since the phone appears to be basically ready to produce, hopefully Blackview won't stall for too much longer.  KhunHeineken, if interested you would be getting a bigger battery and screen in a smaller phone with a much stronger camera and CPU.

 

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/386711e27f

My P10000 pro is the same heavy and needs an extended USB Type C cable, saying that the phone is brighter than other chinese phones,  the camera is slightly better and the Screen on Time is off the chart at around 16-17 hours, no need to charge for at least 3 days.

One complaint i do have is about the updating of the software, the P10000 was shipped with Android 7.1.1 which was promised to be updated to Oreo but every enquiry I always get the 'Be patient' response on the forums.

I do like the bang for buck you get with Chinese phones but after owning 4 or 5 of them (Xiaomi, Ulefone, Blackview) Im starting to realise that the OS you get on the phone will probably not be updated to a newer version so that is something to bear in mind when purchasing.

[2008bangkok]

Vernee V2 Pro is a good spec phone also.

 

https://www.review-hub.co.uk/vernee-v2-pro-review/

[KhunHeineken]

18 hours ago, daocat555 said:

I have two problems with the Blackview line.  They are certainly rugged but they tend to be, well, huge.  The second problem is the Blackview BV9600 Plus was shown on YouTube as far back as April, 2018.  And yet it still isn't available for sale.  Blackview seems to want to sell as many as they can of the inferior BV6800 Pro first.  The Blackview BV9600 seems to be so much better than the BV6800, particularly with the screen size, the CPU, the camera, and it's 12.85 mm thick, which by no means svelte, compares well to the BV6800 which is 14.8 mm think.

 

Here are the 2 newer Blackviews compared to KhunHeineken's BV9000 Pro.  In terms of upgrading my suggestion for Blackview buyers is to pass on the BV6800 and wait until the BV9600 finally arrives at stores.  Since the phone appears to be basically ready to produce, hopefully Blackview won't stall for too much longer.  KhunHeineken, if interested you would be getting a bigger battery and screen in a smaller phone with a much stronger camera and CPU.

 

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/386711e27f

 

My Blackview bv9000 Pro is right on the limit of size for me.  Due to its size, I gave it much consideration before buying it.  What I actually wanted was all the features of the bv9000 Pro, but with a 5 inch screen, like the bv8000 Pro, but I guess there is only so much you can fit in a phone before you have to increase its size.  For me, I didn't care too much about the larger screen with the 16:9 ratio.

 

In defense of Blackview rugged phones, they are really designed for tradesmen and people working in harsh environments for electronic devices, like wet and dirty conditions as well as a high chance of the device receiving an impact or being dropped.  I don't think they were designed to slip into your jeans pocket when you go out.  The size isn't an issue for me and it is my everyday phone, not just a work phone, but you are correct, it is chunky.

 

They have a few regular models but do seem to specialize in rugged phones, and to that end, I think they achieve their goal.

 

I understand a newer model will have better features, but name one company that is not slowly metering out their technology?  

 

The battery size is not an issue for me because the fast charger charges so quick.  In fact, so quick that a few months ago I made a thread on TV about it.  I will dig it up and bump it. 

 

I have only had my bv9000 Pro for about 6 months so it will do me for a while, but I am definitely interested in staying with the company and the new models you posted, when it comes time to upgrade. 

[KhunHeineken]

 

@ daocat5555

 

Here's the thread I made about just how fast the bv9000 Pro charges.  It charges that fast that battery size is not that important.  I bumped the thread also.

 

 

[daocat555]

Thank you for the Vernee V2 Pro tip.  It stacks up well to the soon to be new Blackview.

 

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/e30111e54b

 

I think although in general the Chinese phones have been slower with updates there are case by case examples of phones which update a lot and phones which don't.  Another issue is, how important are the updates?  Sure going from Marshmallow to Oreo is big, with better battery efficiency, but within Oreo what advantages are you going to use?  I watched a YouTube video about Android Pie, and there is nothing there that I would use over Oreo.

[KhunHeineken]

18 minutes ago, 2008bangkok said:

 

My P10000 pro is the same heavy and needs an extended USB Type C cable, saying that the phone is brighter than other chinese phones,  the camera is slightly better and the Screen on Time is off the chart at around 16-17 hours, no need to charge for at least 3 days.

One complaint i do have is about the updating of the software, the P10000 was shipped with Android 7.1.1 which was promised to be updated to Oreo but every enquiry I always get the 'Be patient' response on the forums.

I do like the bang for buck you get with Chinese phones but after owning 4 or 5 of them (Xiaomi, Ulefone, Blackview) Im starting to realise that the OS you get on the phone will probably not be updated to a newer version so that is something to bear in mind when purchasing.

 

I agree about the operating system upgrades, but at Chinese phone prices, you can afford to upgrade very often, where compared to the iPhone X at over $1000USD, you may be forced to stay with the phone for some time, despite deteriorating battery life and scratches and memory that is filling up and superseded features. 

 

With Chinese phones, you can literally upgrade every year if you wanted to. 

 

This is my second Chinese phone.  My first one is still going and I gave it a real hard time and it wasn't even a rugged phone.  It was a THL5000 and at that time it had the biggest battery of any phone on the market at 5000mah.  Bigger than Samsung and Apple and all the rest.

 

I think the days of things being manufactured in China being cheap and nasty are coming to an end, especially when you consider iPhones are made in China. 

 

 

[2008bangkok]

10 minutes ago, daocat555 said:

Thank you for the Vernee V2 Pro tip.  It stacks up well to the soon to be new Blackview.

 

https://www.devicespecifications.com/en/comparison/e30111e54b

 

I think although in general the Chinese phones have been slower with updates there are case by case examples of phones which update a lot and phones which don't.  Another issue is, how important are the updates?  Sure going from Marshmallow to Oreo is big, with better battery efficiency, but within Oreo what advantages are you going to use?  I watched a YouTube video about Android Pie, and there is nothing there that I would use over Oreo.

 

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

I agree about the operating system upgrades, but at Chinese phone prices, you can afford to upgrade very often, where compared to the iPhone X at over $1000USD, you may be forced to stay with the phone for some time, despite deteriorating battery life and scratches and memory that is filling up and superseded features. 

 

With Chinese phones, you can literally upgrade every year if you wanted to. 

 

This is my second Chinese phone.  My first one is still going and I gave it a real hard time and it wasn't even a rugged phone.  It was a THL5000 and at that time it had the biggest battery of any phone on the market at 5000mah.  Bigger than Samsung and Apple and all the rest.

 

I think the days of things being manufactured in China being cheap and nasty are coming to an end, especially when you consider iPhones are made in China. 

 

 

Well for me being a self confessed tech nerd, I always like to have the latest and greatest OS on my phones. I wont buy a phone unless I can root it so i can get rid of the bloatware and install a system, wide ad blocker. Even back in the days of XDA's I used to constantly installed custom windows mobiles roms. So when IM 1 OS behind and soon to be 2 it genuinely erks me LOL.

What i will do next is time my buying a new phone with the release of the latest OS. SO i will probably buy a new phone as soon as Android Pie is main stream.

Hopefully that is on Blackview phone as I have found this one sturdy, even if its not rugged in the same sense as the BV range.

 

[KhunHeineken]

35 minutes ago, 2008bangkok said:

 

Well for me being a self confessed tech nerd, I always like to have the latest and greatest OS on my phones. I wont buy a phone unless I can root it so i can get rid of the bloatware and install a system, wide ad blocker. Even back in the days of XDA's I used to constantly installed custom windows mobiles roms. So when IM 1 OS behind and soon to be 2 it genuinely erks me LOL.

What i will do next is time my buying a new phone with the release of the latest OS. SO i will probably buy a new phone as soon as Android Pie is main stream.

Hopefully that is on Blackview phone as I have found this one sturdy, even if its not rugged in the same sense as the BV range.

 

 

You are more advanced than me in the use of the operating system.  That said, I have just reverted back to Skype Classic from Skype 8 and I am staying with Windows 7 until Windows 11 is released.  Sometimes the latest and greatest operating system or versions cause a down grade to upgrade.  Skype 8 back to Skype Classic, Vista that become Windows 7 shortly after, Windows 8 that became Windows 8.1 shortly after and Windows 10 with their upgrade downloads being examples.

 

My Blackview didn't have any rubbish Chinese games to play or anything like that.  The only adds I get are from apps that offer a free version with adds, or a paid version with no adds.  I have some paid and some free.  Just hit the "X" at the top and it's gone.

 

I had a look at the models you and daocat555 mentioned.  They have bigger batteries and better camera, but only 4GB / 64GB of RAM and memory.  The bv9000 Pro has 6GB / 128GB.  

 

Maybe a model will be released in the future that is rugged, has a bigger battery and a better camera and 6Gb / 128GB and I'll be buying that one.

 

As individuals, I suppose we buy devices that are relevant to our needs.

 

I am now going to watch a Youtube clip on Oreo and Android Pie.  As daocat555 said, I am not sure what I will see in either operating system that I will need or use, but I will check it out.  

 

Technology moves so fast these days that what is brand new on the shelf today is already superseded.

 

[2008bangkok]

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

 

You are more advanced than me in the use of the operating system.  That said, I have just reverted back to Skype Classic from Skype 8 and I am staying with Windows 7 until Windows 11 is released.  Sometimes the latest and greatest operating system or versions cause a down grade to upgrade.  Skype 8 back to Skype Classic, Vista that become Windows 7 shortly after, Windows 8 that became Windows 8.1 shortly after and Windows 10 with their upgrade downloads being examples.

 

My Blackview didn't have any rubbish Chinese games to play or anything like that.  The only adds I get are from apps that offer a free version with adds, or a paid version with no adds.  I have some paid and some free.  Just hit the "X" at the top and it's gone.

 

I had a look at the models you and daocat555 mentioned.  They have bigger batteries and better camera, but only 4GB / 64GB of RAM and memory.  The bv9000 Pro has 6GB / 128GB.  

 

Maybe a model will be released in the future that is rugged, has a bigger battery and a better camera and 6Gb / 128GB and I'll be buying that one.

 

As individuals, I suppose we buy devices that are relevant to our needs.

 

I am now going to watch a Youtube clip on Oreo and Android Pie.  As daocat555 said, I am not sure what I will see in either operating system that I will need or use, but I will check it out.  

 

Technology moves so fast these days that what is brand new on the shelf today is already superseded.

 

I hate to disapoint but Microsoft have come out and said there wont be a Windows 11 instead they will just keep updating Windows 10. How long that can go on for is a mystery - will we still have Windows 10 in 5yrs?

You should also take a look at the Vernee V2 pro link i posted earlier that has 6gb RAM you are looking for with a 6000+ mah battery but slimline. Might suit your needs.