Our smartphones are wonders of technology when compared to their first-generation counterparts. Still, while they might be smarter than ever before, our smartphones of today are not as indestructible as the old cell phones of times gone past.
The current smartphones are made to be as thin as possible, with bodies made of glass and, while most companies use some sort of protection, such as Gorilla Glass, they are still very fragile devices. A slight bump or a fall is enough to cause pretty nasty scratches or breaks, so they are not the best choice for users who work in construction for example, for people who hike or do other types of outdoor activities or are simply a little clumsy.
But, thankfully, there are still options out there for those who prefer sturdier smartphones who can take a beating. These devices come with water and dust resistance ratings and have reinforced bodies that can withstand falls. Much like regular smartphones, these devices range in price from $200 to $1000, or more, so there is a market for all budgets even in this sector.
Below we have compiled a list of some of the best indestructible phones you can purchase right now. We initially published this guide in early 2023 but we constantly update it with better phone recommendations, so you can buy a phone that’s not just indestructible but also futureproof.
Unihertz Titan slim
Another great pick for an indestructible phone is Unihertz’s Titan Slim. Yes, a smartphone with buttons is still a thing!
This one embraces a rectangular screen and it’s sleeker and slimmer than its previous QWERTY models.
The device is easy to hold and type, and every key on the keyboard as well as the red programmable key can serve as a shortcut to your favorite function or most frequently used Apps.
Its rectangular screen is compatible with most apps without using mini mode like the previous Titan or Titan Pocket, and you can stream music, movies, and shows for hours, due to its 4100mAh battery. Still, as someone said in a review of a previous Titan phones, “there is no other modern phone that allows me to use the terminal and write messages with the ease that my Titan does. It’s a phone for people who want to work and be productive, not for people who want to play video games and waste time.” Can’t fault that, right?
Blackview BV9900 Pro indestructible phone
Blackview is known for its durable, near-indestructible smartphones and they say this one is the world’s fastest thermal rugged phone.
While Blackview phones might be pricier than the others, you get a lot for your money, from a FLIR camera to actual beautification features – who says rugged can’t look great in selfies?
This particular device is very robust: it features screws that keep the body together following impacts, it’s covered in a thick layer of protective material that, while it doesn’t make the smartphone very compact, it does make it pretty damn hard to break.
The Blackview BV9900 Pro Helio P90 sounds like a mouthful and so is the list of specs. The back sports a 48MP+16MP camera setup with 4K support, AI face beauty and great low light performance. It comes with 8GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
The display on this indestructible phone is a little bit smaller than on a regular phone, coming in at 5.84 inches, but that’s a good thing. Pair the smaller screen with a large 4380mAh battery and you can easily go two days on a single charge.
And since we’re talking indestructible, this phone even works at minus 30 degrees Celsius. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and the device is fully waterproof and dustproof, with IP68 and MIL-STD-810G. Read more about it here.
Cat S62 Pro Rugged
What would a list of indestructible smartphones be without a Cat phone? One of the most well-known rugged phone companies, Cat seems to have peaked with the Cat S62 Pro Rugged.
This is one of the most expensive phones in our list but the feature list more than makes up for that.
This device has a whole host of useful sensors that you won’t find in any other phone.
For example, it has a FLIR thermal camera that detects the temperatures of objects by framing them. It has a distance meter with a laser pointer and even a sensor that monitors air quality.
“The Cat S62 Pro features several exclusive enhancements providing even more thermal detail to help locate and diagnose the damp, the draught, the leak, the hotspot, the electrical short, the blockage or the elevated temperature,” says CAT about what they call “the ultimate work phone”.
It has an high-grade aluminum body housed in a non-slip TPU case that can safely withstand drops of up to 1.8 meters. It can stay underwater up to 3 meters deep for 60 minutes without any problems. The 5.7 inch FHD+ screen is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 6.
It comes with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB memory expandable via microSD, and everything is powered by a 4,000mAh battery.
Nokia XR20 near-indestructible phone – like back in the day
Nokia is largely associated with quality of build and this smartphone does not stray from that legacy. Back in the day, a Nokia rugged phone seemed like the expected standard but nowadays the company mostly makes midrange and burner phones.
Still, the Nokia XR20 is here to satisfy those who want an indestructible phone. Thanks to the military certification it can withstand drops up to 1.8 meters in height, while the IP68 certification means its resistant to dust and water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 60 minutes.
The 6.67-inch Full HD + display is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus. The phone features a Snapdragon 480 processor with 5G, a 4/64GB memory configuration and a 48MP + 13MP camera combination with Zeiss lenses.
The battery is a 4,630mAh and comes with 18W fast charging support and wireless 15W charging.
The Nokia XR20 will receive 3 years of Android updates, which means it will eventually get Android 14, and will also get 4 years’ worth of security updates.
What About Rugged Charging Cables?
An unbreakable phone demands an unbreakable charger, we think. So, if you’ve purchased any of the phones above, it’s worth looking into a charger that won’t fall apart at a moment’s notice.
Anker’s Nylon USB-C to USB-C cable for example, measures 10 feet and can be twisted and bent up to 12,000 times. It’s not flimsy and it can charge devices up to 100W.
GET IT here
Of course, nothing beats a braided nylon cable: they’re tangle-resistant and very sturdy. The Palette Series from Monoprice for example, comes in three sizes, 6 inches or 3/6 feet and, in addition to charging your device, it can also be used to sync data between it and a computer or laptop.
GET IT here
However, one of the sturdiest charging cables out there is the Nomad Ultra Rugged Universal Cable. Even the name sounds tough.
This cable is a MicroUSB to USB-A that also has two additional ends for Lightning and USB-C charging, so you can use it for multiple devices.
The military-grade nylon gives it enough durability to last you a lifetime, or, at least according to the company, around 10,000 bends and twists.
These are just some of the best indestructible phones (and charging cables) out there. Of course, when you decide to purchase one, you have to first think about what you will use it for: Are you an outdoorsy type of person or are you looking for a phone you can take along to work in inhospitable environments where the risk of falls, water and scratches is almost a given?
We hope this list gives you enough information to help you choose the right device for your needs. If you already own one of these indestructible smartphones, let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Also read: The Toughest Hoodie on Earth Is Resistant To Wind, Water and Fire
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