14 best rugged smartphones and phones

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Many smartphones on sale now can be easily damaged. To do this, it is enough to drop them on the asphalt or some stones. Also, not all such devices are waterproof. Fortunately, there are some devices that are extremely difficult to damage. It is about protected models that will be discussed in this article. In this case, we will talk not only about smartphones, but also about protected 'buttons', which are also in significant demand.

Rating of the best rugged phones

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best Rugged Key Phones	1	Seals VR7	RUB 11,090
	2	teXet TM-513R	RUB 2,690
	3	BQ BQ – 2434 Sharky	RUB 1,840
The best rugged smartphones	1	AGM X2 128GB	RUB 39,900
	2	Conquest S10	RUB 33,950
	3	Caterpillar S61	RUB 49,970
	4	Runbo f1 plus	RUB 27,900
	5	Blackview BV9000 Pro	RUB 19 840
	6	KYOCERA Brigadier	RUB 19,990
	7	Torex S18	RUB 19,900
	8	DOOGEE S50 6 / 64GB	RUB 13,750
	9	Archos Sense 50X	RUB 11,864
	10	Prestigio Muze G7 LTE	RUB 9,990
	11	Blackview BV4000 Pro	RUB 7 680

The ranking is based on RankQuality data.

Best Rugged Key Phones

Seals VR7

Rating: 4.9

Almost all mobile phones with shockproof and waterproof housing are very similar to each other. They are usually a traditional orange candy bar, and the word 'brick' is the best description for them. Seals VR7 is no exception to the rule. The orange plastic is complemented by black rubber inserts, the main task of which is shock absorption. The location of the buttons seems to be the most convenient. However, some people will note that the hardness of keystrokes is too high. Also, not everyone will like the fact that only one SIM card can be inserted into this phone. We are already accustomed to dual SIM phones. And how could you not endow such a large device with a second slot? By the way, big doesn't mean heavy. The weight of Seals VR7 does not exceed 166 g, many smartphones without any protective case are heavier. But it is impossible to put a small weight on the list of advantages. The fact is that engineers have reduced the weight by using a battery with a capacity of only 1750 mAh. Many protected push-button phones can work on a single charge for almost a week – unfortunately, Seals VR7 cannot be described in these words. It remains to be glad that the charger is not required to be connected every night – and thanks for that.

The phone book is designed for 2000 numbers. It seems that this will be enough for absolutely everyone. The rest of the functions can be called standard – here you can find an alarm clock, a calculator, a calendar and other delights of a regular firmware. In this regard, the device stands out against the background of competitors only by the presence of an application with a weather forecast – this is a really unexpected guest in a button cell phone. As you could already understand, the device is capable of connecting to the Internet – for this, EDGE networks are used. And there is also a GPS chip. It will be useful on hiking trips, in such conditions the phone's moisture protection according to MIL-STD-810G and IP-67 standards will also come in handy. Also, such a mobile phone is needed for hunting and fishing – it is during these activities that it is easiest to break or drown any ordinary smartphone.

Otherwise, this is a typical 'button', albeit with some improvements. In particular, the device copes well with playing MP3 music. However, the built-in memory is very small here, so the songs must be thrown onto a microSD card (the maximum supported volume is 8 GB). The picture is displayed here on a 2-inch display with a resolution of 240×320 pixels. You can even watch videos on such a screen – the manufacturer promises support for the AVI format. Well, on the back of the device is a camera lens with a resolution of only 2 megapixels. There is no front-end camera, and it is not needed.

In a word, this is one of the best push-button telephones in existence today. There is even a compass! Of course, it was not without the introduction of a flashlight. But most of all, some users will like the ability to install Java applications – it is sorely lacking in many modern mobile phones. It is a pity that the development and production of such a phone was very expensive, and therefore the device is sold in stores for as much as 18 thousand rubles. It is difficult to imagine a person who is now ready to pay that kind of money for a 'button'.

Advantages

• Implemented high-quality water protection;
• Java applications are supported;
• There is a slot for a memory card;
• There is a flashlight;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Internet access is possible;
• FM radio and voice recorder are not forgotten;
• Decent display.

disadvantages

• No second SIM card slot;
• Not the most capacious battery;
• Scary high cost.

teXet TM-513R

Rating: 4.8

Extremely atypical rugged push-button telephone. There are also orange colors here, allowing you to see the device in water or snow, but only the central key and two narrow stripes on the sides of the front and back panels are painted in it. The rear camera lens also has an orange edging. Or just a camera, because there is no 'front camera' here. The rest of the case is painted in gray and silver colors. In a word, due to all this, the device is quite different from other representatives of our rating. The manufacturer also tried to reduce the number of rubber pads. It is possible that because of this, the device has become less shockproof. But on the other hand, it weighs only 168 g, and this is with the used 2570 mAh battery. By the way, the body is made of metal – this is a distinctive feature of the device.

The mobile phone went on sale at a price of 3000-3500 rubles. It is not worth waiting for the presence of a walkie-talkie or even a regular Internet connection for that kind of money. Although the manufacturer indicates support for GPRS, you are unlikely to use it at least once. The presence of an FM radio seems to be much more important here. It will help pass the time somewhere in nature, unless you are too far removed from civilization. Of course, you can also listen to MP3 music here. But to download it, you have to be a little confused – the device has almost no built-in memory, so you need to upload songs to a microSD card. The maximum firmware defines a 16 GB drive.

The low price tag could not but affect the display of the device. With a two-inch diagonal, it has a resolution of 220×176 pixels. This is not to say that this is very little. But you will gradually begin to distinguish pixelization, especially if you get a smartphone with a much more advanced screen. Well, on the back of the phone is the camera we have already mentioned. Its resolution is 2 megapixels. The capabilities of the camera are mainly enough only to take a picture for a contact book. It's nice that the flash is located near the lens. However, much more often it will be used as a flashlight.

Unlike the model discussed above, teXet TM-513R has two slots for SIM cards. But there is no support for installing Java applications. It's a shame, but this is the problem of most push-button phones that are currently being produced. Nevertheless, this is a good device, especially for the money. Despite the low cost, the product still received a Bluetooth – module, so it can be used in conjunction with a wireless headset.

Advantages

• Waterproof to IP67 standard;
• There is an FM receiver;
• Low cost;
• At least 4 days of battery life;
• A metal body is used;
• There is a flashlight;
• Memory card slot is not forgotten;
• There are two slots for SIM cards.

disadvantages

• Display resolution is not very high;
• Virtually no internet connectivity;
• Missing T9.

BQ BQ – 2434 Sharky

Rating: 4.7

There are no more orange flowers here anymore. Most of the body of this case is painted black. And only the edging of the central key with rubber pads on the ends can be painted in one of three colors: the same black, purple or dark green. Even from the photographs it is clear that this push-button phone has a very small thickness. Here it is 14.5 mm. Of course, to achieve such a parameter, the battery capacity had to be reduced to 1650 mAh. Therefore, this option will not suit those who want to get a week of battery life. But on the other hand, it will appeal to fans of light devices – the weight of this model does not exceed 120 g. It is lighter than any gadget included in our rating!

The product has a very comfortable keyboard. Above it is a 2.4-inch display with a resolution of 320×240 pixels. The size is decent, on such a screen even an elderly person with impaired vision can distinguish all the inscriptions in the menu. Also, the device is capable of boasting two slots for SIM-cards. They work in alternating mode, so power consumption does not increase too much. Well, FM radio can be called a nice bonus. However, practice shows that the owners of the 'button' use it quite often. Much more often Bluetooth – a module, which is also available here. But the phone does not have Internet access, as there is no possibility to install additional applications. It's a pity, but it would be silly to expect a wide range of functionality from a device for 2500 rubles.

What else can please the device from BQ? Perhaps nothing more. There is a slot for a memory card. However, it is difficult to understand why such a phone might need an external storage device. The fact is that he cannot play MP3-music – the call here is strictly polyphonic. If you want to listen to normal music, radio is the only option. Of course, you can upload pictures to the memory card. But why?

BQ BQ – 2434 is the case when a device can be described with just one word – 'dialer'. Or, if you prefer, a 'secure dialer'. However, certain claims can be made about the quality of protection. Yes, rain is not a hindrance to the device. But there are big doubts that the device will withstand even a short submersion under water.

Advantages

• Small size and weight;
• The device is dual-SIM;
• There is no, but water protection;
• Three colors to choose from;
• Large high-resolution screen;
• There is an FM radio;
• There is a slot for a memory card;
• Low price.

disadvantages

• No internet connection;
• Java applications are not supported;
• There is no MP3 support;
• Not very long battery life.

The best rugged smartphones

AGM X2 128GB

Rating: 4.9

One of the most expensive rugged smartphones in our ranking. At least, among those that position themselves precisely as protected or unkillable. This device is made in the form of a candy bar, under the screen of which three touch keys are hidden. The back panel looks very brutal. It uses rubber pads and a dual camera. There is also a place for a fingerprint scanner. This means that the device is protected not only from physical shock or immersion under water, but also from prying eyes. If you have lost your smartphone, then it is unlikely that someone will then be able to unlock it to gain access to the operating system. Here, by the way, Android 7.1 is used in its capacity.

The gadget turned out to be extremely heavy – its weight reaches 250 g. This is not due to the presence of two slots for SIM-cards or other advanced components. The large weight is due to the use of a battery, the capacity of which has been increased to 6000 mAh. This is enough for 50 hours of talk time! In normal use, the charger will have to be connected once every two to three days, but someone will do it less often. A micro-USB connector is used here to connect the cable. Why not Type-C? We have no answer to this question. Let's be glad instead that the manufacturer hasn't ditched the 3.5mm audio jack. Therefore, the user will not need to connect headphones through an adapter.

You've probably never heard of a brand like AGM, have you? Meanwhile, the smartphone spreading under it received AMOLED – display! With a 5.5-inch diagonal, it has an ideal resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The surface is covered with third generation Gorilla Glass. Such a screen is clearly visible even under the bright sun; there are no complaints about viewing angles either. Finally, the perfect blacks await the buyer! Also, this display contributes to longer battery life, especially when using all kinds of dark themes.

If we talk about cameras, then they also cause a positive impression. The front camera is pleased with the 16-megapixel resolution. With its help, detailed pictures are created, every pimple will be visible. The main camera, as mentioned above, is double. 12-megapixel matrices are hidden under its lenses. The processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 has enough power to process the information coming from them. The shooting result cannot be called excellent – the flagships take even better photos. But you will definitely not complain about the pictures either.

The smartphone also includes 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of permanent memory. This will be enough for absolutely all smartphone buyers. In this regard, it seems strange to have a memory card slot here – for most people it will obviously be empty. But communication via LTE will be used constantly. Photos and videos will fly off to social media almost instantly. There is also an NFC chip here. But do not forget about the presence of a rather thick case here – it is not a fact that the signal about wireless payment will be sent the first time. Nevertheless, the presence of NFC is good news.

Advantages

• A large number of auxiliary sensors are built in;
• There is a fingerprint scanner;
• There is a large amount of memory;
• A powerful eight-core processor is used;
• There is an NFC chip;
• High speed internet access;
• Good rear camera
• Excellent front-end;
• Extra large battery with fast charging support;
• Installed AMOLED – display with adequate resolution;
• Waterproof to IP68 standard.

disadvantages

• Excessive weight;
• Micro-USB connector is used;
• Astronomical price tag.

Conquest S10

Rating: 4.8

The Conquest brand is familiar to every rugged smartphone lover. The range of devices spreading under it is wide enough. However, only the S10 made it to our ranking. It has the best characteristics – the buyer of this device is unlikely to seriously complain about something. The thickness of this smartphone is 19 mm, and the weight is crazy 345 g. The reason for all this lies in the battery, the capacity of which reaches 5000 mAh, and very powerful protection. A large amount of rubber perfectly absorbs any shocks, no matter what surface the device lands on. The NFC tag is clearly visible on the back panel – the corresponding chip is located here, with which you can make wireless payments. With such a case, the device can easily survive even submersion under water.

The display installed here was created using IPS technology. Blacks are not ideal, but you are unlikely to regularly use such a smartphone to watch high-quality content. The 5.5-inch LCD panel has a resolution of 1920×1080 dots. Perfect for YouTube and running games. The screen surface is covered with Dragon Glass 5 protective glass.

About the games we mentioned is not easy. Such a capacious battery allows you to play for a long time, and not a miserable one or two hours. The Snapdragon 615 octa-core processor allows you to run almost any game, reducing the level of graphics only in the most demanding projects. Also under the body of the Conquest S10 are 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory. Not a record volume, but this should be enough for many buyers. There is also a slot for a memory card – the maximum is supported by a 64 GB drive.

Such an expensive smartphone could not do without high-speed wireless modules. LTE and Wi-Fi will be used to receive and transmit data. An infrared transmitter is used to change channels on the TV. Well, with Bluetooth 4.0, you can connect a wireless speaker or headset. The manufacturer did not forget about the standard 3.5 mm audio jack. If you connect headphones to it, you can activate the FM radio – a rare guest in expensive smartphones.

Oddly enough, the Conquest S10 manufacturer paid the least attention to cameras. The buyer is waiting for a simple 5-megapixel front camera, about which it is difficult to say something interesting. The rear camera also consists of one lens, but underneath it is already a 13-megapixel sensor. It is unlikely that you will spit on the quality of the photos, but you will definitely not be able to call the perfect pictures.

Perhaps the Chinese manufacturer has got an excellent smartphone. But it is clear that they have saved on some components. It can only be seen from the characteristics – the high price should say the opposite.

Advantages

• Supports two SIM cards;
• Good display with high resolution;
• There is an FM radio;
• Relatively good rear camera
• High speed wireless networks are supported;
• NFC chip is not forgotten;
• There is a very powerful processor;
• Decent amount of memory;
• Long battery life;
• There is water protection.

disadvantages

• Terribly heavy weight;
• Not the most recent version Android;
• The front camera will not suit everyone;
• Very high cost.

Caterpillar S61

Rating: 4.8

Perhaps, it is smartphones Caterpillar that can be considered the best of their kind, if we talk exclusively about protected models. These devices not only have an excellent level of protection, but also have all sorts of additional functions. And the manufacturer also tries to make them miniature – for example, the thickness Caterpillar S61 does not exceed 13 mm. And the height of the device is small – only 163 mm. In short, the size of the device is close to some Nexus 4, which now seems terribly small. On the front panel of the device there is only a 5.2-inch display. At the same time, its resolution is 1920×1080 pixels – a rather big parameter. The screen was created using IPS technology, there are no problems with viewing angles.

The main feature of the smartphone is its non-waterproof and shockproof housing. And not even the eight-core Snapdragon 630 processor, half of the cores of which are capable of operating at 2.2 GHz. No, the device received an astronomical value solely due to the presence of a thermal imager. This is a unique component that only uses Caterpillar in its smartphones. And it is because of him that there is a rather large 'hump' on the upper edge of the gadget. A thermal imager is useful in professional work, and separately such a device costs a lot of money.

If we talk about an ordinary camera, then it also pleases with its quality. Inside it is a 16-megapixel matrix. The quality of the images is solid, even cooler photos are obtained only with the help of flagships. It is also important that the camera built into Caterpillar S61 allows you to record video in 4K resolution. It is also nice that the front-facing camera also does not cause any particular complaints – the 8-megapixel module does an excellent job.

Operating under Android 8.0, the smartphone supports all high-speed standards. This means that they support not only LTE networks, but also Wi-Fi 802.11ac. And this is great news for those who like to watch movies from an external hard drive connected to a router. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0, thanks to which the sound is transmitted to the headset in high quality. Of course, the NFC chip has not been forgotten, which allows using the smartphone as a bank card.

Many readers of our rating are interested in what kind of battery this smartphone received. We wrote above about its small thickness. However, there is room inside for a 4500 mAh battery. It is charged via the USB Type-C connector. This process does not take much time, as evidenced by the support of the Qualcomm Quick Charge 4 standard.

Talking about Caterpillar S61 can be very long. We didn't mention the decent amount of memory, the fingerprint scanner and many other features of the device. To be honest, you shouldn't read about such a smartphone, you should use it. However, not everyone can afford it, and not everyone will want to spend that kind of money – you can buy one or another flagship for them.

Advantages

• There is a thermal imager;
• Modest size;
• A fresh version of the operating system is installed;
• Excellent display
• Competently implemented water protection;
• High-speed modules are used;
• Built-in powerful processor;
• 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory;
• There is NFC;
• Fingerprint scanner is not forgotten;
• Capacious battery with fast charging support.

disadvantages

• Weight reaches 250 g;
• Cosmic value.

Runbo f1 plus

Rating: 4.7

This smartphone has the usual shape for a protected device – it is a candy bar with chopped corners and a touch screen. Part of the case is painted yellow so that the device can be easily found in the snow or under water. The manufacturer's logo is located at the bottom of the front panel. If you turn the device over, you can see a massive plastic-rubber base. It is immediately clear that such a device has a solid level of protection. By reading the instructions, you only confirm your opinion – this model is certified according to IP67 and MIL-810G standards. It should be noted that this is not the maximum possible protection – the device will not last long under water.

The Runbo F1 Plus was not developed yesterday – it is a long-standing model that has been on store shelves for about a year and a half. In this regard, do not be surprised at the lack of a fingerprint scanner. But the smartphone is endowed with a unique magnetic USB cable – it literally sticks to the corresponding connector. The device also includes a gyroscope and a digital compass. The first one allows you to use your smartphone in a virtual reality headset (however, from a weight of 313 grams, you quickly get a headache). The second chip helps you navigate the map. Continuing the theme of all kinds of modules, one cannot fail to note the absence of an NFC chip. Alas, it is impossible to replace a bank card with such a device. But there are LTE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules. In a word, there are no problems with transferring data and broadcasting music to a wireless headset.

An eight-core MediaTek Helio P20 is used as a processor. This is an excellent mid-budget solution capable of running at 2400 MHz. In the games, the graphics accelerator Mali-T880 MP2 is used, which also pleases with its power. Somewhere near the chipset there are 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. Rugged smartphones rarely get that much. But there is also a slot for a microSD card! Autonomous operation of all these components is provided by a 5000 mAh battery. Of course, there is support for fast charging – it is not necessary to keep the AC adapter plugged in overnight.

The device functions with the help of Android 7.0. The operating system recognizes two SIM cards without any problems. It displays the picture on a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. Each inch of screen area consists of 401 pixels – often you don't need more. Well, the IPS manufacturing technology speaks of the maximum viewing angles. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, the thickness of which reaches 1.2 mm.

There is no point in spending almost 30 thousand rubles. on a smartphone that does not know how to take high-quality photos. Fortunately, the Runbo F1 Plus got a pretty solid camera, albeit not a dual camera. Its resolution is 16 megapixels, and in video mode it writes Full HD a picture. No, the device is inferior to the flagships in this regard, but they cannot boast of such a high level of protection. As for the front camera, it includes a 5-megapixel matrix.

In short, the gadget deserves praise. It's nice that he got a light indicator of events, gradually disappearing from such devices. And there is also an FM radio that can brighten up your pastime somewhere in nature.

Advantages

• Excellent IPS display
• Two SIM card slots available;
• Well realized waterproof and shockproof;
• Solid rear camera;
• There is an FM radio;
• Implemented support for LTE;
• Someone may need the Push-To-Talk function;
• A very powerful processor is built in;
• The device has a lot of memory;
• Capacious battery with fast charging support;
• Magnetic cable included.

disadvantages

• Very large dimensions and weight;
• “Frontalka” does not boggle the imagination;
• There is no NFC;
• There is no fingerprint sensor.

Blackview BV9000 Pro

Rating: 4.6

Reading our rating, you might get the impression that rugged smartphones cost a lot of money. Yes, many of them are really expensive. But some manufacturers manage to cut the price tag even slightly. For example, Blackview BV9000 Pro can be purchased for 20-21 thousand rubles, which is comparable to the cost of some mid-budget smartphone from Samsung. At the same time, the device turned out to be modern and even very advanced. It even includes a USB Type-C connector, the wire into which is inserted the first time! Also, the product is endowed with an NFC chip, which allows the device to operate in the manner of a bank card. But the main advantage of the device is still protection from water and shock according to the IP68 standard. The gadget can stay at a meter depth for about half an hour – nothing will happen to it during this time.

The smartphone successfully combines solutions from budget and top models. From the first, the engineers borrowed the FM radio and the traditional 3.5 mm audio jack. Well, everything else allows you to compare the device, if not with flagships, then with very expensive devices. For example, an eight-core MediaTek Helio P25 is used as a processor. Its operation at a clock frequency of 2.6 GHz contributes to the complete absence of slowdowns in the operating system and applications. And in games it is extremely rare to reduce the graphics settings, which is also good news. The product also includes 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of permanent memory. You can find a version with twice the amount of ROM, but it will cost significantly more. And is she really needed? The fact is that a memory card up to 256 GB is supported here, on which you can drop all media files. By the way, only you will get access to them. If someone steals a smartphone, he will only suffer with it – fingerprint scanning is used to unlock it.

On the front panel of this device is an IPS-display, the aspect ratio of which allows you to comfortably work with two applications at once. The 5.7-inch LCD panel has a resolution of 1440×720 dots. Its surface is covered with Gorilla Glass, the latest generation.

Such a smartphone cannot be equipped with a simple battery. But the manufacturer did not significantly increase the battery capacity, stopping at 4180 mAh. Supported technology Meizu mCharge provides a full charge within about a couple of hours.

Usually such devices get a traditional camera. It is believed that one lens is harder to break than two. However, the creators of the Blackview BV9000 Pro decided to opt for a dual module. Under the first optical unit is a 13-megapixel matrix. The second sensor is auxiliary, and its resolution does not exceed 5 megapixels. This design serves to create a bokeh effect – blurring the background. Nothing bad can be said about the front camera, which has an 8-megapixel resolution.

As for the wireless modules, the buyer is unlikely to complain about anything. LTE is. Wi-Fi is available. You can connect a headset at Bluetooth. Even NFC is not forgotten! The presence of the latter is perhaps most important.

Advantages

• Capacious battery with fast charging support;
• A very powerful processor is built in;
• There is NFC;
• The amount of memory will suit everyone;
• The screen was created using IPS technology;
• There are two slots for SIM cards;
• Excellent water resistance;
• Decent rear camera
• Decent front camera;
• There is support for LTE;
• There is a fingerprint scanner.

disadvantages

• The charging connector is inconveniently recessed into the body;
• Display resolution is not very high;
• Very large size and weight.

KYOCERA Brigadier

Rating: 4.5

This rugged smartphone has been sold in online stores for several years. It is clearly visible on it. Now such devices are almost never endowed with physical keys. Here they are exactly like that. This is not a minus. On the contrary, these buttons have an excellent response, they are easy to press even in cold weather, while wearing gloves. But the operating system is confusing – the days of Android 4.4 are long gone. However, a skilled buyer can upgrade the device by installing a more recent version of the 'green robot'.

This is one of the smallest rugged smartphones in our ranking. On its front panel, there was only a 4.5-inch LCD display. I am glad that its resolution is 1280×720 pixels. The pixel density turned out to be very high, all images on such a screen seem to be very detailed. The 16: 9 aspect ratio is ideal for watching YouTube videos, but not great when using two apps at the same time. However, what are we talking about? You can't do this here – neither the operating system nor the processor power allows it.

Under the shock-resistant and water-resistant body, there is a Qualcomm MSM8928 quad-core chipset, clocked at 1.4 GHz. This is enough for the operating system and applications, but it is better not to run games on such a device. The smartphone also includes 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent memory. There is also a slot for a microSD card, but the maximum supported storage capacity is small – only 32 GB.

Oddly enough, the rather ancient device managed to receive support not only for LTE-A of the fourth category, but also for Wi-Fi 802.11ac. Therefore, the user will be provided with high-speed data transmission! And you can also connect wireless speakers and headsets to a smartphone, for which Bluetooth 4.0 is used. Well, NFC is primarily needed to pay for purchases in the store.

On the back of the KYOCERA Brigadier is the simplest rear camera by modern standards. Its resolution is only 8 megapixels. Nevertheless, even this is enough for recording video in resolution Full HD. But this does not mean that it will be of good quality – the processor, which is unable to process a picture with a high bitrate, affects. You shouldn't even remember about the front-facing camera – it has only a two-megapixel matrix.

One feels that the device is seriously outdated. It sorely lacks processing power, and the lack of a fingerprint scanner is upsetting. Nevertheless, you can buy the device even now. With it, you can boast to your friends that the front surface of the device is protected by sapphire glass – who else from the smartphone manufacturers is doing this now? Also, the device is capable of boasting a fairly long battery life, which is provided by a 3100 mAh battery. The network adapter is connected via, of course, the micro-USB connector.

Advantages

• MIL-810G and IP68 protection;
• Miniature size and relatively light weight;
• Convenient physical keys;
• Decent resolution for a small screen;
• There is support for Wi-Fi 802.11ac and LTE;
• There is an NFC chip;
• There is a digital compass and barometer.

disadvantages

• Only one SIM card slot;
• Not the best cameras;
• A weak processor is built in;
• Low memory;
• High cost for an outdated device.

Torex S18

Rating: 4.5

Another fairly old smartphone in our ranking. He is provided with work Android 5.1. This operating system is not outdated, but it does not smell fresh either. The firmware will offer everything any tourist needs anyway. Namely, such a device is most suitable for a tourist. In everyday life, its thickness will seem excessive, while in nature all the flaws of the device will be invisible. For example, it is unlikely that on a hike you will notice that the resolution of the IPS-display is only 960×540 pixels. However, with a 4.3-inch diagonal, this is a good parameter, leading to a density of 256 pixels per inch.

The smartphone has two SIM card slots. And this is a rare case when both SIM cards work at the same time. This means that you will not miss an incoming call on the second SIM card when you are talking on the first one. Well, as for water protection and impact resistance, they are implemented quite well here. There is no doubt that the device will definitely survive even the most difficult field conditions.

In terms of technical characteristics, the device is comparable to modern budget devices. For example, a quad-core processor MediaTek MT6735 is used here. However, its capacity is quite enough to process a picture with a low resolution. And the Mali-T720 shows itself relatively well. However, do not rely on the fact that you will not have to drop the graphics level at all in heavy games. And it's not easy to upload them here – the protected gadget received only 16 GB of permanent memory. Of course, there is a slot for microSD, but not all applications and games are moved to external storage. The smartphone also includes 2 GB of RAM – also the minimum volume by modern standards.

Some of the buyers will be surprised by the presence of an NFC chip here. It seems that most often it will be used for quick synchronization with certain electronic devices. Of course, in theory, such a chip can be used to pay for purchases. But, as we said above, using such a thick smartphone in everyday life is inconvenient. Also, among the wireless modules present here, one can single out Wi-Fi (extremely slow, but suitable for solving basic tasks), LTE and Bluetooth 4.0. Somewhere else under the body of the smartphone is a barometer and a digital compass.

You don't expect perfect photography from such a smartphone. However, it cannot be said that the Torex S18 shoots lousy. No, the 13-megapixel rear camera performs well in nature before the sun has begun to set. And the front camera does not cause much rejection if you use it only for video communication. Selfies with a 5-megapixel module will be of frankly average quality.

Advantages

• Good water protection and shock resistance;
• The display was created using IPS technology;
• Two SIM cards work simultaneously;
• Not a very bad rear camera;
• There is NFC;
• Data transmission is carried out over 4G networks;
• A large number of useful sensors.

disadvantages

• I would like a higher resolution display;
• A simple front camera is built in;
• Micro-USB connector is used;
• Weak processor;
• There could be more memory;
• No fingerprint scanner;
• The price seems overpriced.

DOOGEE S50 6 / 64GB

Rating: 4.5

This smartphone exists in several versions. One of them offers 128 GB of permanent memory – we do not advise you to take it, since half the amount should be enough for you. And why pay more if there is a microSD card slot?

The device is a classic candy bar with a plastic case. The back panel and ends here are made in such a way that absolutely nothing threatens them – neither landing on a hard surface, nor submersion under water. This is evidenced by the IP68 certificate. There are also two lenses on the back panel. After passing through them, light enters the matrix with a resolution of 16 and 13 megapixels. Some time ago, even top-end devices could not boast of anything like that! The operating system Android 7.1 does a pretty good job of blurring the background. It should be noted that the main lens has an aperture of f / 2, which allows you to get decent pictures even in low light conditions. Interestingly, the front camera located on the front panel is also dual here. It uses matrices with a resolution of 16 and 8 megapixels, the aperture is absolutely the same. In a word, in terms of cameras, the smartphone surpasses almost all the devices considered in this rating.

A weak processor would not be able to process information coming from a dual camera, so the choice of the Chinese manufacturer fell on MediaTek Helio P23. This eight-core chipset can handle any application or game with ease. Also, its ideal work is facilitated by 6 GB of RAM.

The image is displayed here on a 5.7-inch display. Unfortunately, it was on it that the engineers had to save money, so that the smartphone would not be too expensive. No, in terms of manufacturing technology, everything is in order – this is a full-fledged IPS panel with maximum viewing angles. The only problem is the resolution – it is 1440×720 pixels. However, this should be enough for many buyers.

Has a smartphone and a number of other shortcomings. In particular, the lack of an NFC chip is embarrassing. But there is support for LTE-A, so the buyer can count on a very high data transfer rate. Not forgotten and Bluetooth, with which the sound is transmitted to the headset or speaker. It can also be done with a wired method – the Chinese did not get rid of the traditional 3.5 mm audio jack. They also endowed their creation with a fingerprint scanner. And it is right. Now it is already strange to see smartphones on sale for 20 thousand rubles. without a fingerprint sensor.

The weight of this smartphone reaches 250 g. This alone indicates the presence of a capacious battery inside. Indeed, this parameter is 5180 mAh here. There is no doubt that the connection of the charger will be required only once every two days. The only pity is that for this you have to use the aging micro-USB connector. This is another design element on which the Chinese decided to save money.

Advantages

• Capacious battery;
• Water protection and shock resistance are implemented with dignity;
• There are two slots for SIM cards;
• Installed IPS-screen;
• LTE networks are supported;
• Great rear camera
• A good front camera, which is also double;
• A powerful eight-core chipset is used;
• Large amount of memory;
• There is a fingerprint sensor;
• Gyroscope and digital compass are included.

disadvantages

• Built-in micro-USB connector;
• Large dimensions and weight;
• Display resolution is not very high;
• No NFC chip;
• The cost, after all, cannot be called low.

Archos Sense 50X

Rating: 4.4

Another two-SIM smartphone in our ranking. This unit is painted in black and silver colors, which may cause some problems finding it underwater, in mud or snow. But on the other hand, its cost does not exceed 15 thousand rubles. This figure can already be called quite affordable, it is not transcendental. The device is running Android 7.0, which indicates a relatively recent release date. The software is protected from prying eyes by a fingerprint sensor – therefore, the loss of a smartphone does not guarantee that someone else will see all your photos and videos. Another thing to note is the smartphone's support for OTG technology. And not just support – the corresponding cable is included.

MediaTek MT6737T is used as a processor here. This is a budget quad-core solution, clocked at 1.5 GHz. The owner of the smartphone will have to abandon games, or reduce the level of graphics in them – the Mali-T720 MP2 video accelerator does not indicate anything else. The gadget also includes 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory. The presence of a USB Type-C connector seems to be unexpected, to which an AC adapter is connected, charging a 3500 mAh battery.

With wireless standards, everything is in order here – the device supports LTE-A of the fourth category, and Bluetooth 4.0, and Wi-Fi 802.11n. Only NFC is missing, but buyers of Chinese smartphones have long been accustomed to its absence. The front panel of the smartphone houses a 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. 441 pixels per inch – some time ago even the flagships could not boast of such a parameter!

Finally, it has a device and two cameras. The rear one has a 13-megapixel resolution, it does not stand out in anything special. The gadget is capable of recording video with a resolution Full HD – and thanks for that. However, experts will certainly say that the picture quality is infinitely far from ideal. Well, what do you want with such a chipset? High bitrate, he corny, he will not digest. It remains to add that the front camera works here using an 8-megapixel matrix.

Advantages

• Perfectly implemented water protection;
• You can insert two SIM cards;
• The smartphone doesn't seem gigantic;
• Very good IPS display
• There is an FM radio;
• Relatively good rear camera
• Solid front camera;
• There is support for LTE;
• Optimal amount of memory;
• A USB Type-C connector is used;
• Fingerprint scanner not forgotten.

disadvantages

• There is no NFC;
• Far from being the most powerful processor;
• Large weight;
• Not the best video quality.

Prestigio Muze G7 LTE

Rating: 4.4

This smartphone, like the device discussed above, has a thickness of 12.7 mm. Here, too, a protected case is used, which saves the device from drowning. However, one cannot fail to notice that it is less persistent. In the reviews, you can find descriptions of cases when falling on stones or asphalt still led to a fatal result. But this model is also much cheaper than all smartphones previously considered in this rating – only 10 thousand rubles.

The device is running Android 7.0 – a fairly recent version of the operating system. On its front panel is a 5-inch display, created using IPS technology. Its resolution is 1280×720 pixels, which can be called an average parameter for such a diagonal. Above the screen you can see the front camera lens, but this is the worst part of the device – the two-megapixel resolution is enough only for video communication. Fortunately, the rear camera performs better with a 13MP sensor. But this in no way means that you will be delighted with the result.

This smartphone has an FM receiver. But it is much easier to listen to music online – support for LTE and Wi-Fi allows it. You can play sound in different ways – either through the built-in speaker, or by connecting wired headphones, or by outputting it to Bluetooth – a headset.

Unfortunately, austerity has prevented the manufacturer from installing a powerful processor. And the amount of memory (2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent) cannot be called stunning. But the engineers worked on the battery, bringing its capacity to 4000 mAh. For some, such a battery will be enough for two days of battery life.

Advantages

• There are two slots for SIM cards;
• Well implemented water protection;
• The screen was created using IPS technology;
• Solid rear camera;
• Added FM radio;
• Implemented support for LTE networks;
• A capacious battery is used.

disadvantages

• There is no NFC chip;
• No fingerprint scanner;
• Very weak processor;
• Low memory;
• It's better not to think about the front camera;
• Built-in micro-USB connector.

Blackview BV4000 Pro

Rating: 4.3

In our rating, we have already considered one smartphone under the brand Blackview. The model called BV4000 Pro can be considered a simplified version of it. Strongly simplified, because the manufacturer tried to ensure that his creation was sold in stores for only 8 thousand rubles. Most actively he worked on the creation of a protected corps. As a result, the device complies with the IP68 certificate. This means that it can be dropped into the water to a depth of half a meter, where the device can calmly lie for half an hour.

Of course, the technical characteristics of such an inexpensive device will not please everyone. For example, some people will not be happy with a display that is too small – its diagonal does not exceed 4.7 inches. The screen is made using IPS technology – in this regard, it is impossible to find fault with it. And the 720p resolution with such a diagonal cannot be called small.

A modest quad-core MediaTek MT6580A is used as a processor. You will have to forget about playing with him. Its power is enough for applications, albeit not in excess. The device also has 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of permanent memory. The slot for the microSD card is not forgotten, the maximum drive is 32 GB.

Perhaps the main disadvantage of the smartphone is the lack of LTE support. Do you want fast internet access? Then try to visit the Wi-Fi range more often. NFC is not here, of course. It's better not to think about cameras either. The rear one is still good for something (8 megapixel resolution, f / 2 aperture), while the front one with its two megapixel matrix will be used by you only for video communication.

It remains to add that battery life is provided by a 3680 mAh battery. The charger is connected via the micro-USB connector.

Advantages

• Protected according to IP68 standard;
• Low cost;
• Excellent IPS display
• The apparatus cannot be called huge;
• Capacious enough battery;
• Two slots for SIM cards.

disadvantages

• No fingerprint scanner;
• There is no NFC;
• Weight reaches 205 g;
• LTE networks are not supported;
• Weak processor;
• Out of memory.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, major manufacturers have left the rugged smartphone market. They are not satisfied with the level of sales, as well as the difficulties in development. Nevertheless, the Chinese have replaced the world famous companies. They produce very decent products, which were considered in this rating. Of course, their gadgets have certain drawbacks, but many of them are quite possible to put up with.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.