An overlooked quality in smartphones is durability. Some manufacturers have even claimed their smartphones to be nearly indestructible.
Today’s mainstream smartphones are sleeker and more capable than ever, but they’re not necessarily tougher. It’s still worryingly easy to damage one by dropping, scratching, or submerging it in water, particularly for those of us who prefer to do without bulky phone cases. Some big-brand smartphones like the Google Pixel 9 offer IP68 resistance against dust and water ingress, but that still leaves them vulnerable to shock damage, scratches, and scuffs. That isn’t enough for anyone who needs their smartphone to survive in tougher working environments.
Thankfully, there are plenty of smartphones out there that boast much more sturdy construction, with their makers claiming they can withstand common outdoor hazards like drops or water damage. These 10 examples offer some of the boldest claims on the market, promising to be virtually indestructible and, therefore, capable tools for outdoor enthusiasts, tradespeople, and explorers.
It’s worth noting that these claimed capabilities are exactly that — they are manufacturer claims and have not been verified by SlashGear. This list simply aims to highlight some of the toughest models according to their respective makers and makes no guarantees that the claimed capabilities will match up to real-world testing.AGM Glory Pro
Not everyone wants a smartphone that looks as rugged as it is, but anyone who wants to lean into the theme will appreciate the look of the AGM Glory Pro. It features thick rubber bumpers on each corner and a rear design that resembles a walkie-talkie, with four camera lenses arranged around a central speaker. According to the brand, that speaker can pump out up to 110dB, making phone calls easily detectable even in the noisiest operating environments. The phone is IP68 and IP69K rated against water and dust ingress and meets the MIL-STD-810H durability standard.
AGM claims that the Glory Pro can be dropped from heights of 1.5 meters — roughly five feet — onto concrete surfaces without damage and can operate in temperatures as low as -27°Celsius, around -16°Fahrenheit. Alongside its core smartphone capabilities, the phone also features a thermal imaging camera, capable of measuring the temperature of objects up to 16 feet away.
These capabilities sound impressive at first glance, but the AGM Glory Pro isn’t without its drawbacks. The biggest is its price — it retails for $700 — and the second is that it only ships with Android 11. Another sticking point is that it’s only compatible with T-Mobile in North America and not other leading networks. Those are some pretty major drawbacks, and so despite its durability claims, it’s hard to see why buyers would opt for the Glory Pro over the other options on the market.Blackview BL9000 Pro 5G
When it comes to operating in extreme temperatures, there are plenty of smartphones that — quite literally — can’t stand the heat. The Blackview BL9000 Pro 5G promises to withstand air temperatures of up to 60°Celsius/140°Fahrenheit, one of the highest ratings on the market. Plus, it’s decent for extremely cold temperatures, too, with a minimum operating temperature of -20°Celsius/-4°Fahrenheit. Add in the phone’s IP68 and IP69K water and dust ingress ratings and the result is a device that can withstand even the toughest workplaces or outdoor environments. It’s also certified to the MIL-STD-810H durability standard.
The company claims that the BL9000 Pro 5G can be dropped from heights of up to five meters or 16 feet without damage, and with a thick protective bumper encasing the screen, it certainly looks tough enough to live up to those claims. Nonetheless, the exterior isn’t as outlandishly designed as some of its competitors, making it a more attractive option for those who want ultimate durability but don’t want to stand out too much from the crowd. The phone runs Android 14 out of the box, but then you’d hope so, given that it retails for $800, putting it close to some popular Apple, Samsung, and Google models.Doogee V Max Plus
Running out of battery is, for most smartphone users, at worst, a serious inconvenience. However, running out of battery while out in the wilderness is an altogether more serious issue and one that the Doogee V Max Plus aims to fix for good.
