Rugged Smartphones of 2017-2018 That Are Worth Recommending

The rugged smartphone market is frankly limited. It cannot be said that there is no demand—rugged smartphones are needed not only by adventurers and fishermen. The list of professionals who would benefit from a truly durable smartphone could go on, and in reality, its requirements are not too extensive: genuine protection against dust and water, enhanced shock resistance. Aside from these key features, a device with decent performance—if not cutting-edge hardware but at least enough to avoid obsolescence for a year or two—is desirable. Pricing in this segment is the trickiest topic: there is a limited selection, with widely differing hardware and build specifications.

Rugged Smartphones

I’ve selected three of the most discussed rugged smartphone models with more or less relevant hardware (as of late 2017 - early 2018) that are worth recommending: Nomu S30, AGM A8, Blackview BV7000 Pro. A detailed list of ALL rugged smartphones available on the market with specifications and release dates (in English) can be found in this resource: Waterproof and dustproof rugged smartphones rated IP67-IP68.

Detailed technical specifications, pros, and cons of each device are presented in a comparative table at the end of the article.

Nomu S30 5.5" (from $215)

The Chinese Nomu S30 was released in October 2016, with another version—S30 Mini—featuring a smaller 4.7-inch display. Meeting the essential IP68 standard for this category of devices, it is claimed to sustain two hours underwater at a depth of 5 meters. The phone features an Helio P10 SoC with an 8-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 2GHz, a Mali-T860 GPU, and 4GB of RAM. The Helio P10 is considered a good choice for mid-range models. The device’s dimensions are 162x83x13.35 mm, with a solid weight of 260 g. It includes three full slots for SIM cards and a memory card, although its built-in 64 GB storage is already quite substantial. The IPS display sports a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, and the screen is manufactured by Sharp. The device supports two cameras: 13 MP on the back and 5 MP on the front. The screen has an oleophobic coating and a protective raised bezel.

Rugged Smartphone Nomu S30

The back cover is made of rather slippery plastic, with slots for SIM cards and a memory card under a protective flap. This compartment is reinforced with a rubber seal that fits snugly into the groove of the cover, ensuring complete protection against moisture ingress. However, the camera is not recessed into the body—despite being surrounded by a metallic frame, this design increases the likelihood of the lens getting scratched quickly. Around the body, aluminum plates and shock-absorbing polyurethane corners are secured, designed to cushion impacts and drops. An additional programmable button is provided on the right edge, allowing users to answer calls, launch the camera, activate the flashlight, and more.

All images are honestly borrowed from iXBT reviews.

The USB port and mini-jack input are protected by tight flaps, which can be somewhat of a stress factor for Nomu S30 owners—there’s a non-zero chance of losing these flaps; sometimes, they dry out and wear down. Since wireless charging is not available, users will need to deal with these flaps every 2-3 days for charging.

Onboard sensors include: proximity sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, gravity sensor, rotation and linear acceleration sensor, and magnetometer. GPS in the Nomu S30 receives praise. The device supports operation while wearing gloves.

However, due to the resource-heavy processor, the 5000 mAh battery does not deliver the desired level of autonomy—it lasts a maximum of one to two days under load. Charging the battery takes about 4 hours.

Judging by owner feedback, call quality and connectivity on this model are satisfactory. The audio quality of the sound card is average, not suited for audiophiles, but the external speaker is loud. Extreme tests are abundantly available both on the official YouTube channel of the manufacturer and from local bloggers. Most of the issues that arose during the initial launch, such as firmware glitches, sensor calibration, and battery problems, have been resolved in subsequent versions. All the trials and discussions about this model can be found on the 4PDA forum in the relevant thread . There’s a great review on iXBT.com.

Main disadvantages: slippery body, no notification LED, cases of the SIM card cover detaching during falls, the original screen protector interferes with the sensor’s operation, the glass requires additional protection and is prone to scratches, subpar photos and videos, and almost impossible to repair at home.

Blackview BV7000 Pro 5" ($140)

Blackview has several rugged smartphone lines, making it difficult to choose an absolute favorite. Among the most-discussed models are the BV7000 Pro and BV6000. Both models deserve attention, each having its own pros and cons. The Blackview BV7000 Pro was released just six months after the BV6000 and features specifications close to flagship quality, paired with a very stylish design for a rugged smartphone. I chose to include this model in the list, but its predecessor also deserves attention—here’s a link to a review of the BV6000.

blackview bv7000 pro

The device includes 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6750T with a Mali-T860 MP2 graphics processor running at 1.5 GHz. Its 5-inch screen has a FULL HD IPS matrix and Corning Gorilla Glass 3, showcasing excellent viewing angles. However, the screen lacks enough brightness for comfortable outdoor use, with a maximum brightness level of 420 nits. The touchscreen is very sensitive but does not feature sensitivity adjustment. It has a hybrid SIM slot that supports memory cards up to 128 GB, and the package includes an OTG cable (USB Type-C 2.0). The dimensions of the device are 153 x 78.9 x 12.6 mm, and it weighs 222 grams. It runs Android 6.0. For more details on technical specifications, refer to the comparative table.

The package contents are decent: a charger, a cable plus a USB-OTG adapter, a headset with headphones, and an additional screen protector to complement the one already applied.

Compared to the BV6000, this model is 4 mm thinner. Among rugged smartphones, it holds the record for minimal thickness. The screen matrix is protected by a slightly protruding frame, and the body combines metal and durable polymer materials. There’s a programmable button on the device that can be set up for any task. The ports are covered with plugs, but they come with a significant drawback—they are deeper than standard connectors (9 mm type-C), so you’ll have to take care not to lose the original charger and OTG. The same issue applies to the headphone jack.

The back cover has a non-slip texture, and the smartphone feels like a monolith in your hand. The hardware buttons are soft and placed conveniently. Due to the IP68 protection, the sound quality of the external speaker is somewhat distorted, but the volume is sufficient. However, user opinions differ regarding the quality of the call speaker (the waterproof membrane mutes microphone sound slightly). The manufacturer guarantees safe submersion up to 3 meters, but there is no mention of shock resistance.

The cameras on the Blackview BV7000 Pro are weak, once again proving that the number of megapixels is not a sure indicator of image quality.

The fingerprint scanner works reliably.

The non-removable 3500 mAh battery allows for 10 hours of Full HD video playback at maximum brightness. Gaming tests at the highest settings lasted four and a quarter hours. With moderate use, the battery lasts between 1.5 and 2 days, and it charges from 0 to 100% in 2.5 hours.

Built-in sensors include light, proximity, accelerometer, magnetometer, electronic compass, and fingerprint scanner. The operating temperature range is from -15°C to +55°C at altitudes of up to 5000 meters.

An exemplary review by our colleagues at www.devicespecifications.com .

Main disadvantages: extended connectors (9 mm type-C and headphone jack), relatively weak battery for an octa-core processor and Full HD, dubious fast charging support, and a hybrid slot for SIM or microSD cards.

AGM A8 5" ($140)

AGM offers two excellent rugged smartphone models: the AGM A8 and AGM X1. However, I decided to focus on the newer and more budget-friendly A8. If you’re interested in the X1, I recommend checking out the discussion on the forum at 4PDA. I won’t consider the X2 lineup due to its high price of $520.

agm a8

Key specifications of the AGM A8: 5-inch display, 720×1280 resolution, Gorilla Glass 3, 294 PPI, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad Core processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB storage, 4050 mAh battery, NFC support, 13 MP camera, Android 7.1, front camera (2 MP), and main camera (13 MP). It has similar capabilities to the other models reviewed above. Dimensions: 159 x 83 x 16 mm. The developers weren’t striving for compactness; the device’s size for a 5" screen reaches up to a 5.5" frame with a record-setting thickness of 16 mm. However, it is praised for its “in-hand” comfort. The design is interesting, with screws on the back cover that don’t appear decorative. It’s nice to see the presence of a strap or carabiner mount—a very useful feature that has been neglected in many devices. The plastic of the back cover resembles a soft-touch material or rubber that is resistant to damage.

The back part of the casing does not provide waterproof functionality—there’s a rubber plug underneath it that seals off the battery and card slots. The battery is removable. The audio jack is tucked under a plug and slightly recessed, so a headset with a straight connector is needed. Speaking of plugs—they are attached to the body with screws, and for everyday use, they can be removed, and over time they can also be replaced. To prolong their lifespan, lubricate these parts with silicone grease.

The screen lacks an oleophobic coating, but a protective film is already applied to the Gorilla Glass 3 panel. A protective rim runs around the screen’s perimeter. The brightness reserve under direct sunlight is rather weak, but otherwise, everything is fine.

There is a flawlessly functioning NFC module and a reliable GPS that achieves a cold start in 4 seconds. The proprietary AGM app provides data on altitude above sea level, temperature, and pressure. Additional features include a compass, level, inclinometer, ruler, plumb line, and more. The SOS button, which sends your GPS coordinates to preset numbers, hasn’t been overlooked either.

The stated operating temperature range is from -10°C to +40°C with an IP68 rating, allowing submersion up to 1.2 meters for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Impact resistance data guarantees integrity when dropped into mud or onto uneven surfaces from a height of 1.5 meters.

It offers good battery life: in nighttime sleep mode with Wi-Fi switched off, it only lost 1% of the charge. An HD movie played at maximum brightness for 9 hours and 5 minutes. During active use, the smartphone will honestly last for two days, as the processor consumes less energy compared to the commonly used MT6737.

It features full-fledged slots for two SIM cards and a separate one for a memory card. Fast charging is not supported, with a full charging cycle taking about five hours. This may be a minor downside for users but it’s a plus for battery longevity.

Here’s a detailed review of the AGM A8 and a corresponding discussion thread on the forum.

Other Interesting Rugged Smartphone Models

OUKITEL K10000 Pro 10000 mAh 5"5 ($175), links lead to reviews. Ulefone Armor 2 4700 mAh 5" ($270) Homtom HT20 Pro 3500 mAh 4,7" ($115)