As rugged phones have become increasingly popular in the world of cell phones, rugged flip phones are now widely available. Flip phones may not be for everyone, but they can be well-suited to those who want a simple phone with physical buttons.
There’s a lot more to rugged flip phones than you might imagine. Here’s our selection of the top 15 rugged flip phones of 2022.
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Top 15 Rugged Flip Phones
1. CAT S22 Flip
CAT phones are known for their rugged build and military-grade resilience, which makes the CAT S22 Flip the perfect rugged flip phone. With IP68 and MIL-SPEC 810H ratings, this flip phone has been drop-tested from a height of 6 feet. It’s also resistant to water, vibration, sand, salt, and pressure. It has a 12-hour battery life and a programmable PTT button.
Pros:
- IP68 and MIL-SPEC 810H ratings
- Programmable PTT button
- Extra-long battery life
- Drop-tested up to 6 feet
Cons:
- Only available with T-Mobile so far
2. Sonim XP3
The Sonim XP3 is another great rugged flip phone. Not only is this flip phone attractive, super tough, and compact, but it also has the fancy features you would expect from a smartphone. This includes noise-canceling technology, a 100 dB+ speaker, and a glove-friendly PTT button. This flip phone can withstand almost anything with MIL-810G and non-incendive Class I, II, and III ratings.
Pros:
- Noise cancellation technology
- Tactile and glove-friendly PTT button
- Ultra-rugged build
- Excellent call quality
Cons:
- Poor-quality camera
3. Kyocera DuraXE
Kyocera phones from the Dura series are known for their resilient hardware, and the Kyocera DuraXE is no exception. This flip phone is virtually indestructible, as it’s drop-proof, dustproof, and waterproof. The HD voice features and noise cancellation technology makes it even more favorable. In addition, it comes with SOS features, like a programmable PTT button.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Dual front speakers
- SOS features
- Waterproof and drop-resistant
Cons:
- Expensive for a flip phone
- No Wi-Fi calling
4. Samsung Rugby 4
The Samsung Rugby 4 is quite compact, at only 2.17 x 4.25 x 0.85 inches. Despite its size, this phone is both durable and functional. It’s waterproof and dustproof and comes with a programmable push-to-talk button. What’s more, the device has a built-in GPS feature and Wi-Fi connectivity, which the previous Samsung Rugby model didn’t have.
Pros:
- Dual screens
- Military-grade protection
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Built-in GPS
- PTT button
Cons:
- Poor-quality camera
5. Plum Ram 8
Not only is the Plum Ram 8 extremely rugged and durable, but it also features an attractive design. It’s easy to use and has a large 2.4-inch screen. Plus, you can charge it wirelessly with the included desktop charger. Some functions, like the camera, flashlight, and the SOS feature, have designated buttons. It features high-quality loudspeakers and has IP68 certification. It even boasts a Dual SIM standby, which is pretty impressive for a flip phone.
Pros:
- Dual SIM standby
- Attractive design
- Impressive loudspeakers
- Desktop charger
Cons:
- Low battery capacity
6. Casio G’zOne Ravine 2
The Casio G’zOne Ravine 2 has a round exterior screen, making this flip phone hugely popular. The external screen gives information about the time, date, battery life, and connectivity. This flip phone is pretty rough too, as it can withstand water, drops, impact, dust, vibration, shocks, and more. Connectivity is another one of its strong points, as it comes with an audio jack and a microSD card slot.
Pros:
- IP67 and MIL-STD-810F compliant
- Audio jack included
- Round exterior display
- Comes with a microSD card slot
Cons:
- Short battery life
7. Samsung Convoy 3
The Samsung Convoy is a rugged flip phone for those who don’t mind using a small device. In fact, this phone is so compact, that it easily fits into your pocket. Regardless of its size, it features impressive features, like dual microphones and noise-cancellation technology. This device even gives you the option to call someone and send messages with voice commands.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Dual microphones with noise-cancellation technology
- Military-grade ruggedness
- Hands-free convenience
Cons:
- The screen may be too small for some users
8. Kyocera DuraXV
Another Kyocera flip phone, the Kyocera DuraXV is ultra-rugged and able to withstand almost anything. The ergonomic design allows you to hold it more comfortably. It also enables better call quality, with dual loudspeakers and dual-mic noise cancellation. It features multiple programmable keys, including the SOS, push-to-talk, speaker key, call list key, and more.
Pros:
- Multiple programmable keys
- Dual loudspeakers and dual-mic noise cancellation
- Dustproof and waterproof
- Great battery life
- GPS included
Cons:
- Low-resolution screen
9. Motorola Barrage V860
The Motorola Barrage V860 is a highly durable flip phone that meets military specifications, making it waterproof and resistant to dust, impact, and vibrations. It can even be used in extreme temperatures. You can expand its storage with a 16GB memory card. Other useful features include a push-to-talk button, high-quality dual speakers, and M4/T3 hearing aid compatibility.
Pros:
- Meets military specifications
- 16GB microSD memory expansion
- Push-to-talk capability
- High-quality dual speakers
Cons:
- Low battery capacity
10. Samsung Convoy 4
Like its predecessor, the Samsung Convoy 4 is a relatively small flip phone. While it can easily fit into your pocket, that might be a dealbreaker for some users. On the upside, this device meets military specifications, so you can use it in potentially demanding industrial environments or outdoors. Other features include push-to-talk technology, Quad GSM roaming support, a 5MP rear camera, and a dual microphone and noise cancellation capability.
Pros:
- Ultra-rugged design
- Quad GSM roaming support
- Excellent sound quality
- Push-to-talk technology
Cons:
- It might be too small for some users
11. Kyocera DuraXA
The Kyocera DuraXA is definitely worth considering. What’s great about it is the extra-rugged build, with reinforced housing and non-slip Dura-grip material. With its 1500mAh battery, you can expect 462 minutes of talk time and 440 hours of standby time. You’ll get excellent call quality with this phone due to its dual front speakers and Smart Sonic Receiver technology.
Pros:
- Reinforced housing
- Non-slip Dura-grip material
- Great battery life
- Dual front speakers
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
12. Samsung Rugby 3
The Samsung Rugby 3 is a solid option, with a fully-rugged design. It is resistant to water, dust, drops, vibrations, shock, and more. The exterior dual screen displays the date, time, battery life, connectivity, and sound options. This model features push-to-talk technology and has 3G data connectivity and Bluetooth.
Pros:
- IP67 and MIL-STD-810F compliant
- Push-to-talk technology
- Dual screens
- 3G data connectivity
Cons:
- Short battery life
13. Samsung Convoy 2
The Samsung Convoy 2 is a great rugged flip phone for those who need it for essential functions, like calling and texting. If you’re looking for more modern features, then this device might not be for you. The phone is thermal and shock-resistant, and immune to water, rain, dust, dirt, salt, and similar. It’s compact and lightweight, so you can easily carry it around with you the whole day.
Pros:
- Thermal and shock-resistant
- High-quality loudspeakers
- Lightweight
- Compact
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
- Low performance
14. Alcatel GO FLIP 4
While the Alcatel GO FLIP 4 might not be fully rugged, it is a pretty tough model. It features text-to-speech capability, powerful loudspeakers, a 2MP camera, and a long-lasting battery. What’s more, it can work as a hotspot.
Pros:
- Works as a hotspot
- Powerful loudspeakers
- Text-to-speech feature
- Compact yet durable design
Cons:
- Low-quality camera
15. Consumer Cellular Link II
The Consumer Cellular Link II has a simple but durable design. It has many safety features, including an SOS button, voice commands, and a large classic 12-key keypad. It also has great battery life, 14 hours of talk time, and 16 days of standby time. This device features dual screens, so you can get the most important notifications on the exterior screen.
Pros:
- Strong build
- Long battery life
- Dual screens
- Budget-friendly price
Cons:
- Low-quality camera
- No video or internet calls
What to Look for in a Rugged Flip Cell Phone
Today’s flip phones have more modern features compared to older models. That’s why it might not be so easy to find the perfect rugged flip phone without doing some research.
First and foremost, a good rugged flip cell phone needs to be durable. It should have military specifications like Ingress Protection (IP) and MIL-SPEC 810 ratings. Put simply, your flip phone should be able to survive being dropped or immersed in water. Secondly, your flip phone should have a tough exterior, made from resilient, high-quality materials.
Since the majority of rugged flip phones don’t have fancy features, they need to compensate with other functions. For example, look for phones with expandable memory, a long battery life, and lots of connectivity options. Many rugged flip phones feature powerful loudspeakers, so you can use them in loud working conditions.
Talk to a Rugged Phone Expert
Even though shopping for a flip phone might seem less demanding than shopping for a smartphone, there are still a lot of factors you need to consider. While flip phones come with a lot of useful features, they usually lack something, like storage or a front camera.
If you have any questions about rugged flip phones or rugged devices in general, feel free to contact Energy Electronics for more information. Our team consists of trained professionals who know everything there is to know about rugged phones. We’ll also be able to give you a quote for bulk orders.
Any questions? We will respond within one business hour.
