How many times has your shatter-proof screen cracked from a waist-high fall onto the sidewalk? Phones get more use than just about any other type of technology, and their small stature and handiness put them in constant danger of being dropped or damaged. Luckily, there are certain “rugged” phones built specifically to handle whatever your life can throw at your phone. Whether making calls from a dusty construction site or fishing your phone from a toilet bowl, there are plenty of reasons to invest in one of the toughest phones on the market.
Sonim XP7
When you think of a “rugged” or “tough” phone you probably imagine a small brick with a dimly-lit LED screen and a bare bones keypad. However, you probably don’t imagine that same device having an epic 40 hour battery life while maintaining an industry standard 16gb memory. The Sonim XP7 isn’t the most attractive device on the market, but if you want a phone built to last the rigid standards of the U.S. Army, you can’t find one more suitable. This phone is made to be used outdoors, so homebodies need not apply.
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Veering towards the other end of the “rugged” phone spectrum is the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact. This is what happens when a phone like the Sonim XP7 has cellular babies with a standard Android phone. The Z1 Compact is water-resistant up to 1 meter of submersion, yet retains a slim profile and comfortable ergonomic design that discreetly veils the true toughness of this phone. With 16gbs of internal memory and 2gb of RAM, this phone is no slouch in the performance department either.
HTC Desire Eye
The HTC Desire Eye doesn’t claim to be water-resistant, but it is. It also has ideal protections built in for dealing with dust. If you’re looking for a truly attractive phone that is durable without advertising it, the Desire Eye is the phone for you.
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
Although the Samsung Galaxy S5 touted effective water-resistant measures and delivered one of the fullest suites of features for an Android in 2014, the Galaxy S6 was decidedly less rugged than its previous iteration. Samsung pulled out all the stops when developing the Galaxzy S6 Active. It takes the best of the Samsung Galazy S6 and puts it inside a phone that can be dropped in a puddle over and over again without any issues.
Motorola Droid Turbo 2
The Droid Turbo 2 touts the “world’s first shatterproof screen”. Similar claims have been made in the past, but the Droid Turbo 2 is a seriously tough phone with features to keep it in the race with tech-smart phones like the iPhone. The Droid Turbo 2 has a 21 megapixel camera and a 48-hour battery life. Motorola claims it is the fastest charging phone ever as well. The features, combined with its nearly indestructible design make the Droid Turbo 2 an attractive option for people looking for a phone for both work and play.
There’s no such thing as an unbreakable phone, but manufacturers are getting closer than ever before. If you want to maximize your phone’s defenses, it’s a smart idea to register your phone with an insurance company. Assurant reviews are almost exclusively positive, making them a good place to start.