Best Products > Phones & Accessories The Best Rugged Smartphones of 2024 These devices are sure to hold up under the toughest conditions By Adam S. Doud Adam S. Doud Writer Adam has been writing about mobile technology since 2011. He is the former host of the Android Authority podcast, and his work has appeared in numerous publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 13, 2024 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Phones & Accessories Accessories Whether you're active outside or work in an environment that isn't phone-friendly, durability is essential when buying a new smartphone. Some traits include Gorilla Glass, an IP rating for water and dust resistance, and build materials. A glass sandwich won't hold up like a rubberized plastic phone. The Rundown Best Compact: Unihertz Atom XL at Amazon ($310) Jump to Review Best Updated Phone: CAT S42 at Amazon ($188) Jump to Review Best Compact Unihertz Atom XL Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewirea View On Amazon $310 View On Aliexpress.com View On Kmart.com Pros Walkie Talkie functionality Good camera Generous storage Two SIM card slots Cons So-so processor Small screen Network-related glitches This smartphone is packed full of surprises. In addition to being built tough, which we'll get to, this phone has accessories that make it much more exciting, especially if you're an outdoors person. The 48-megapixel camera, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of onboard storage are all respectable. The Helio P60 processor and four-inch screen are not the greatest by today's standards, but they are still enough to complete everyday tasks. Plus, the XL version of this phone comes with a removable antenna, which allows you to turn your smartphone into a walkie-talkie. You can tell this phone is durable just by looking at it. You'll first notice the rubberized grip around the top, bottom, and back. Add to that the grippy backplate and aluminum side rails, and this is a phone you can carry in your nail apron. The exposed screw heads add to the toughness surrounding this fierce phone. Unihertz Atom XL Review Best Updated Phone CAT S42 Amazon View On Amazon $188 Pros Water resistant Two-day battery Decent daytime photos Relatively affordable Dual SIM support Cons Sluggish performance No biometric sensor Poor low-light photos Washed out, low-res screen Limited internal storage Limited carrier support The CAT S42 is an impressively rugged phone, packing a bulky, hearty plastic exterior with covered ports and enhanced water, drop, and thermal shock resistance. It’s so well-protected that CAT advertises it as a phone you can wash with soap and water. On the other hand, the CAT S42 features entry-level components akin to a much cheaper budget phone. It delivers sluggish performance, has a low-quality screen, and only takes decent photos in solid lighting. It’s usable, however, and the battery can provide two days of usage. CAT S42 Rugged Phone Review Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit