Rugged Phones Compared: Nokia vs Samsung vs Telstra
- 01 July, 2020 16:06
If you’re spending much working in a field or workplace that’s a little more rough and tumble or just plain clumsy, the trend in smartphone designs towards more fragile and fractious materials like glass is probably really frustrating.
We’ve rounded up our picks for the best rugged phones that offer plenty of features but are equipped such that they can survive a drop or two. Check out the list below:
Nokia 800 Tough
Look, it’s not quite as capable as some of the other devices featured in this article but if you’re after a durable handset that’s good for the essentials, the Nokia 800 Tough is an inexpensive and compelling option.
Like the revamped Nokia 2720, it runs on KaiOS and features more-or-less the same level of app functionality as well. You get Facebook. You get WhatsApp. You might not get anything more specific than that in terms of apps but you will get an impressive 48 days of usage out of a single charge.
In terms of durability, the Nokia 800 Tough has been built and tested to meet more than just the usual ‘military-grade’ standards for durability. HMD Global say the 800 Tough can survive conditions as low as -20C or as high as 55C.
Specs:
Credit: Nokia Processor: Snapdragon 205
Operating System: KaiOS
RAM: 512MB
Storage: 4GB
MicroSD slot: Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes
Fingerprint sensor: No
Durability: IP68 + MIL-STD810G compliant
Battery: 2100mAh
Connectivity: 4G, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi,
Rear Camera: 2-megapixel
Front-Facing Camera: n/a
Where to buy it?
The Nokia 800 Tough comes in Black Steel and is available through Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and Amazon for around $189 RRP.
Telstra Tough Max 3
Telstra’s Tough Max 3 isn’t as slick as something like the Galaxy S20 Ultra but if you’re worried about the fragility of modern smartphones and want something that’s built to take a hit or two, it’s an option worth considering.
As per our review of the Tough Max 3, “Filling the niche in the market for those who don’t care that much about the quality of their phone experience but want something that they’re unlikely to break, Telstra’ housebrand is more than just an expensive paperweight. It’s a genuine option worth considering.”
Specs:
Credit: Telstra Processor: Snapdragon 665
Operating System: Android 9
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
MicroSD slot: Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes
Fingerprint sensor: Yes
Durability: IP68
Battery: 3920mAh
Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi, 4G
Rear Camera: 16-megapixel (AF with Flash) + 5-megapixel
Front-Facing Camera: 8-megapixel
Where to buy it?
The Tough Max 3 had be nabbed through Telstra for an RRP of AU$499 or on a plan using the widget below:
Samsung XCover Pro
Samsung’s XCover Pro does its best to transplant the popular formula behind the brand’s flagship Galaxy smartphones into a more worksite-friendly form-factor. To suit business users better, the smartphone also features two programmable buttons and support for Samsung’s POS solution.
If you’re a fan of Samsung’s usual fare and don’t want your rugged smartphone to feel like too much of a compromise, the Samsung XCover Pro might be what you’re looking for.
Credit: Samsung Specs:
Processor: Exynos 9611
Operating System: Android 10
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB
MicroSD slot: Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes
Fingerprint sensor: Side-mounted
Battery: 4050mAh
Durability: IP68, MIL-STD 810G
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 4G, NFC, Bluetooth 5
Rear Camera: 25-megapixel (f/1.7) + 8-megapixel (f/2.2)
Front-Facing Camera: 13-megapixel (f/2.0)
Where to buy it?
The Galaxy XCover Pro is available in Australia through Samsung online, Amazon and select IT distribution partners and telco partners.
