Many people live under the impression that an old school phone is the most durable phone that one can buy. However, that's not entirely true. There are many smartphones that come with powerful specs while also offering quite a lot of durability.
These phones are commonly known as "rugged" smartphones. They are usually made for people who work under rough circumstances but still want to use an actual smartphone. But, everyone can get one. You just need to know where to look!
So, without any further ado, let us check some durable phones!
1: Ulefone Armor 7
The most durable phone that one can buy is often not the best looking. That's not the case with the Ulefone Armor 7, though. In fact, this may be the most beautiful-looking rugged phone we've seen yet!
And it's not just good looking. It also offers decent specs for the money. We're looking at 8 gigs of RAM, 128 gigabytes of storage, a Helio P90 processor, and a huge, 5500 mAh battery.
There's also a triple camera setup. The main sensor is at 48MP while there's also a 16MP autofocus lens along with an 8MP telephoto camera. And if you're into selfies, you'll also find a 16MP front shooter that rests on the waterdrop notch.
In terms of protection, the phone is rated at IP68 - which means that it can withstand at least up to a meter of submersion without taking any damage. Furthermore, it's almost completely immune to dust. Just make sure to let the port dry before charging.
Now, as far as value is concerned, this may not be the best price to performance ratio you can get. Far from it. Especially when there are tons of Xiaomi phones that are impossible to beat for $200 less.
However, do not forget that you're also paying extra to get that high IP rating and durability.
Pros:
- Good looking (As far as durable phones are concerned)
- Very high IP rating
- Small bezels
Cons:
- Relatively bad value in terms of graphics performance for the money
2: Blackview BV9500
One of the most impressive things about this smartphone is its battery life. With a 10,000 mAh battery on board, you're practically carrying a power bank with you at all times.
Of course, one of the biggest downsides of having such a huge battery is that you're adding a lot of bulk and weight to the phone. And even through the photos, you can tell that the Blackview BV9500 has a bit of bulk to it - but that's also one of the reasons that it's a candidate for the most durable phone.
Speaking of durability, this phone is rated at IP69K. So, it should be able to take quite a lot of abuse without any issues. Just don't forget that IP stands for water and dust protection - not so much for physical shocks.
The specs are fine for a 2020 mid-ranger. However, the 4 gigs of RAM can be an issue down later on when apps, games, and even the OS may ask for more than that. After all, don't forget that earlier versions of Android used to work just fine with less than a gigabyte of RAM. Now you can barely boot with that.
Other than that, we're looking at 64 gigs of storage, a Helio P70 processor, and a dual-camera setup. The main camera is at 16MP while the secondary lens is only a 0.3MP sensor which presumably assists in auto-focus.
If there's one downside, apart from the relatively weak specs, then that's the weight. At 365 grams, this is heavier than some of the most premium and biggest smartphones you can find. But, that's the price to pay for having a sturdy smartphone.
Pros:
- Huge battery
- Comes with the highest IP rating that a phone can achieve
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky
- Mediocre specs for the money (But, again, you're paying extra for the durability)
3: Blackview BV5900
Let us clarify that us picking another Blackview device as the last suggestion is nothing but a coincidence. It just so much happens that Blackview devices have the highest IP ratings and the best reviews - both of which matter a lot for us when trying to find the most durable phone.
This is our best budget pick. But, as a budget phone, the specs that it offers are also at that level. It comes with a somewhat outdated, quad-core, Mediatek processor, 3 gigs of RAM, a 13MP camera with a secondary 0.3MP autofocus sensor, and a 5MP selfie shooter.
Even when compared to other budget phones, the specs are simply outdated. However, if you want something that's both cheap and durable, this is one of the very few good choices.
Still, at the end of the day, you still get Android Pie out of the box, a big, 5580 mAh battery, and an IP68 certification. So this is still a very durable phone - just not as powerful as our other picks hardware-wise.
Pros:
- Cheap
- High IP certification on a budget
Cons:
- Weak specifications
- Thick bezels by today's standards
Most Durable Phone of 2020: Wrapping Up
These are our top picks for now. To wrap things up:
- Ulefone Armor 7: Our high-end pick which also wins in terms of aesthetics
- Blackview BV9500: The most durable phone as far as dust resistance and waterproofing are concerned
- Blackview BV5900: A great budget choice if you can't afford to spend more. Just keep in mind that it's generally considered very weak in terms of specifications by 2020 standards
That's all. Feel like we forgot to mention something important? Do you have any questions? Then let us and everyone else know all about it in the comments section down below!
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