Most flagship phones including the latest iPhone and Galaxy series come with IP (Ingress Protection) certification. These handsets can withstand water and dust. But if you are looking for a truly rugged phone, you need to aim for nothing short of MIL-STD-810 standards. These devices are made to withstand transit drops, low pressure, sudden temperature variations, humidity, and prolonged solar exposure. Such phones make for an idea companion for the adventurous types. Without further ado, here are the top rugged phones you can buy in India:
LG Q7: Rs 15,990
If you are on budget, here's a trustworthy companion from LG. The Q7 has undergone MIL-STD-810 compliance testing and over a dozen tests–proving it can withstand extreme conditions. The specifications aren't impressive, but then that's not the USP of this device anyway. It does come with a decent 5.5-inch IPS screen with Full HD + resolution. The Indian variant comes with MediaTek's MT6750S chipset and 3GB RAM. You get a 13MP rear and an 8 MP selfie camera. All in all, it is a good entry-level rugged phone.
LG Q Stylus+: Rs 21,990
Much like the Q7, the LG Q Stylus+ comes with Mil-Spec. It is built to keep the elements our and withstand hostile conditions. It has undergone MIL-STD-810 compliance testing and passed 14 different tests to ensure that it can survive the tough times. With IP68, it can even withstand water immersion up to a meter for half an hour. In terms of specs, it comes with more acceptable 4GB RAM compared to 3GB of the Q7. It offers a 6.2-inch FH+ display. The phone sports a primary 16MP and an 8MP selfie camera. It draws power from a 3300mAh battery.
CAT S60: Rs 54,000
Yes, this is the same company that makes dozers, excavators, and compactors. Caterpillar, mostly known as CAT, this company surprisingly also makes phones. And as you would have guessed, its S60 is a rugged phone made for men who work at construction sites or oil rigs. The S60 is a drop proof phone. I have dropped it from the first floor many a times and it worked without any issue. The S60 is built to MIL-SPEC 810G. It is dust proof and can also survive 5 metre under water for about an hour. The phone also comes with a built-in Thermal imaging camera. It gives you the heat signature in the range of -20-degree C to 120-degree C. If you are construction supervisor, you can check the equipment overheating. Campers on the other hand, can keep an eye out for predators. The phone sports a 4.7-inch HD screen. It is powered by a Snapdragon 617 chipset and has 3GB RAM.
—by Ajinkya Bhoir.
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