Chinavasion: Best Rugged Phones For Any Budget

Life is all about experiences – at least that’s what we learn from quotes, books and movies. Adventures are a fun way to explore the world and yourself and for most of us, they are associated with the great outdoors. So if you have finally decided to head out into the wild or take part in a triathlon – you will need a reliable way to stay connected. The phones in out list are waterproof, dustproof and shockproof and, most importantly, affordable.

Under $600

Runbo Q5 Rugged Smartphone

Runbo Q5 is as tough as its appearance suggests and features IP67 rating, meaning it’s waterproof (up to 1 meter) and dustproof.

The exterior is made to match: the screen is covered in Gorilla Glass, protecting the display from falls and making the phone shockproof.

The rugged looks and protective features are not the only selling points of the phone: it comes with two micro SIM cads, 32 GB of internal memory and two 13-megapixel cameras. Runbo Q5 is a popular choice among hikers and adventurers, because of its ability to double as a walkie-talkie when there is no network coverage. Add to that GPS and AGPS support – and you got yourself a perfect outdoor companion.

Under $400

Snowpow M9 Rugged Phone

As the phone’s exterior suggests, Snowpow comes with all the standard “tough” features, like being waterproof up to two metres, dustproof and knocking it around a bit will not be a big deal,  thanks to the protective rubberized exterior. Just as Runbo Q5, you can easily turn it into a walkie-talkie, supporting the range of 3 to 5 metres. A really great additional feature is an SOS function. And even though we hope you will never have to use it, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. One of the reasons we go into the great outdoors is to capture glimpses of the beauty of nature – and you’ll be able to do that with a rear 8 megapixel camera.

 Under $200

MANN ZUG 3 Waterproof Smartphone

We are pretty sure that once you get introduced to MANN ZUG 3 Smartphone, you’ll feel a strong urge to explore the world in the manliest way possible. The waterproof rating may encourage you to go on a boat trip down the Amazon, and the phone’s resistance to dust and sand will help you stay connected during your photo Safari in the Sahara. Whatever your ultimate dream destination is, with MANN ZUG 3 – nothing is out of reach. When it comes to internal capacities, the phone is loaded with all that is Android, giving you access to all the entertainment on Google Play Store and can speed up to 1.2GHz.

Under $100

Mini Rugged Phone

If you are looking for something miniature, that holds all the features of an adventure companion – this mini phone offers just that. Featuring IP53 waterproof rating, a protective case and an overall rugged appearance – it is a perfect accessory for jogging and workouts. Its compact form will not cause inconvenience or mess with your exercise routine – but will let you have a reliable communication tool right in your pocket. Even though this phone is a mini, it features a nice 2.4 inch screen and Android 4.2 – giving you access to an array of features.

Under $50

Uphone U3A Rugged Phone

If you already have a fancy phone that you use for work and social life, but need an affordable version for your outdoor undertakings, Uphone will take cars of all the hard stuff, which may involve falling, being dropped in water or being exposed to other harsh environments. Rubber casing will be easy to grab hold of even if your hands are sweaty after all the exercise and the minimal set of features (including dual SIM cards, MP3 Player FM radio and a long battery life) will keep you connected and entertained.