Smartphones have become essential tools for virtually every industry, including farming. A high-quality phone eases communication and increases your accessibility. Plus, numerous phones come with features and sensors that can make farming tasks much easier and faster.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 smartphones for farmers and discussed their features.
Top 10 Smartphones for Farmers
CAT S42 H+
CAT S42 H+ is a rugged smartphone with unique antimicrobial properties. Like most CAT phones, this one has high IP ratings and is designed in line with military standards for enhanced resistance. What really makes this phone unique isn’t its resistance but its antimicrobial properties.
Namely, the phone is covered in antimicrobial silver ions that inhibit bacterial growth. Since farmers often need to use their phones with dirty hands, this is an excellent addition that ensures safety and enhanced hygiene. This protective layer can’t be stripped away with washing.
Apart from its unique silver-ion technology, this phone features a durable battery, high-quality cameras, and customizable buttons.
Pros:
- Highly resistant
- Antimicrobial properties
- Durable battery
Cons:
- No 5G
Rating: 4.7/5
CAT S42 H+ has a lot to offer to anyone who doesn’t want to worry about germs while working. It’s a unique phone with a wide range of useful features for all industries, including farming.
Ulefone Armor 3
If you’re often working long hours with no access to a charger, you need a smartphone with a durable battery, and Ulefone Armor 3 is an excellent choice. The phone features an impressive 10,300 mAh battery that can provide up to a whopping 1,300 hours of standby time.
This phone has a high-quality case that can withstand even the harshest conditions. Thanks to the highest IP ratings, you can be 100% sure the phone won’t become damaged by water or dust.
Other features include a high-quality screen, push-to-talk button, memory card support, and a decent processor.
Pros:
- Exceptional battery life
- Highest IP ratings
- High-quality housing
Cons:
- Heavy
Rating: 4.6/5
With a durable battery and resistance to elements, Ulefone Armor 3 can be an ideal ally to many farmers. Unfortunately, the impressive battery comes at a price: the phone weighs almost 13 ounces, which can be a deal-breaker for some.
Sonim RS60
If you’re looking for powerful features in a mobile computer, Sonim RS60 is a great option. The device has everything you need to streamline your workflow and enhance communication. One of its main features is a high-speed barcode scanner that can collect data from worn-out tags. The scanner works perfectly even in low lighting. The phone also comes with a suite of valuable software tools.
Like other rugged devices, Sonim RS60 is designed with a focus on resistance and durability. You can drop it, submerge it in water and treat it with harsh chemicals without worrying about damage. Since the device is completely sealed, its inside can’t be harmed in any way.
Pros:
- Glove-friendly display
- High-quality barcode scanner
- Built-in software tools
Cons:
- Pricey
Rating: 4.5/5
Sonim RS60 has everything a farmer may need: durability, resistance, and amazing built-in options. Plus, it has a decent battery and glove-friendly display viewable in direct sunlight.
CAT S22
Although some think flip phones are outdated, they can be quite convenient. Their design makes them very compact and allows you to easily fit them in your pocket. Those looking for a rugged flip phone shouldn’t look further than CAT S22.
The phone is a perfect combination of traditional and modern. Its tactile buttons make it easy to use, especially for those that aren’t tech-savvy or rush their texts. CAT S22 operates on Android 11 and offers a familiar interface and access to Google Play.
Since it features military-grade protection, you can be confident the phone will last for a long time and withstand harsh work environments.
Pros:
- Military-grade rating
- Compact
- Tactile buttons
Cons:
- Weaker battery
Rating: 4.4/5
If you need a phone that fits into any pocket and has impressive features, CAT S22 is an excellent choice. It makes typing messages easy and is resistant to water, dust, shocks, vibrations, impacts, and extreme temperature changes.
Sonim XP8
Farmers need a phone they can rely on in every situation. Whether you’re working in the field or attending a conference, Sonim XP8 is a great companion. It features an ultra-rugged construction that makes it virtually indestructible. The phone is water and dust-proof and protected against shocks, impacts, vibrations, and even flammable gases.
The front-facing speaker is powerful and allows clear and easy communication in loud environments. Plus, the phone has user-friendly push-to-talk buttons that enable you to reach your coworkers in just one click.
Sonim XP8 has a glove-friendly and wet-touch enabled screen.
Pros:
- Ultra-rugged
- Powerful speaker
- Interesting design
Cons:
- Poor battery life
Rating: 4.3/5
Sonim XP8 is yet another example that rugged phones offer much more than durability and strength. It can be used in every situation and offers plenty of convenient features.
Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2
Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 features the highest IP and military-standard ratings, confirming its durability and resistance. There’s no doubt the phone features a high-quality, sturdy construction that will resist damage even when exposed to rough conditions.
One feature that makes this phone stand out from other rugged smartphones is its camera. The 13 MP 4K camera has a 135-degree field of view and allows you to capture high-quality wide-angle shots. The phone also has a 5 MP front camera.
If you’re often in noisy environments, you’ll love this phone’s noise cancellation system with four built-in microphones that enhance the sound while canceling out the noise around you.
Pros:
- Efficient noise-cancellation system
- Exceptional camera
- Highly-resistant
Cons:
- Not great for multitasking
Rating: 4.3/5
Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 is the perfect blend of a modern smartphone and ruggedness. It’s resistant to all kinds of elements, works perfectly in noisy environments, and features an impressive camera.
Sonim XP3
Sonim XP3 is another rugged smartphone with a simple construction and excellent features. The large tactile buttons and the flip-to-talk option make this phone easy to use in every setting.
If you often spend time in loud environments, you’ll love the powerful speakers and the noise-canceling option. Plus, the push-to-talk buttons provide a fast and reliable method of communication with your coworkers.
This phone has the MIL-STD-810G certification, which means it can be exposed to shocks, vibrations, high pressure, temperature changes, and drops without consequences.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Strong speakers
- Fast and reliable
Cons:
- The battery doesn’t last long
Rating: 4.2/5
With Sonim XP3, it’s all about the compact design and easy communication. It’s an ideal solution for anyone working in noisy and tough environments, including farmers.
Motorola Moto X Pro
If you’re looking for an affordable Android smartphone with interesting options, Motorola Moto X Pro is the way to go. The phone features a six-inch screen that can be viewed in direct sunlight without difficulty. Its quad-core processor provides great performance and has no issues with multitasking.
Motorola Moto X Pro features two cameras. The rear one is 13 megapixels, and the front one is 5 MP, with excellent quality and plenty of options.
Although large, the phone is relatively lightweight, weighing just a bit over six ounces.
Pros:
- High-quality display
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not waterproof
Rating: 4/5
Overall, Motorola Moto X Pro is a solid smartphone with interesting features. But, since its construction isn’t particularly sturdy, you’ll need a high-quality case to protect it from impacts, scratches, water, and other potentially harmful elements.
CAT S62 Pro
Rugged phones are especially interesting for farmers because of their durability and resistance to harsh conditions. One such phone is CAT S62 Pro. Several features make this glove-friendly phone perfect for farmers. First of all, it has the highest IP ratings that prove the phone’s resistance to water and dust. This is particularly important for everyone who spends their days in the field. Secondly, CAT S62 Pro is tested according to MIL-SPEC 810H, meaning the phone can withstand high and low temperatures, shocks, vibrations, and impacts. Whenever the phone gets dusty, you can simply wash it with water and soap.
CAT S62 Pro has a high-quality thermal camera that enables you to detect leaks, irrigation issues, and clogs. Plus, the camera can identify subtle changes in leaf temperatures, thus helping you establish pre-symptomatic diseases.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- High-quality thermal camera
- Can be used with gloves on
Cons:
- No face detection
Rating: 4.9/5
Cat S62 Pro is one of the best rugged phones on the market. Its durability, resistance, and a sturdy construction make it ideal for farmers and agricultural workers. Plus, it has a thermal camera that can be invaluably helpful.
Asus Zenfone 2E
Asus Zenfone 2E is a compact and elegant smartphone that offers an excellent handling experience, a high-quality display, and a decent camera. If you need a phone to perform basic tasks, this device will suit your needs perfectly.
It features numerous apps and tools that can help you organize better and communicate with your coworkers more easily. When you’re multitasking, you can easily use this phone with one hand, which is an added benefit of the phone’s smaller size. Since it doesn’t take up much space, the phone can fit most pockets.
Pros:
- Good for casual users
- Face detection
- Elegant design
Cons:
- Can’t execute demanding tasks
Rating: 3.5/5
Asus Zenfone 2E is a good budget-friendly option with a compact design. Although it offers numerous options, the phone can’t perform intensive tasks, so it’s intended for casual users.
What Is a Rugged Device?
Rugged devices are designed to tolerate and withstand harsh weather and environment. Such devices can be exposed to extremely high and low temperatures, vibrations, shocks, impacts, dust, water, or high pressure without damage.
Numerous rating systems can help you determine a device’s ruggedness, with IP and Mil-Spec at the top of the list. IP ratings indicate a device’s resistance to water and dust, while the Mil-Spec rating confirms the device has passed a series of tests that prove its strength.
Why a Farmer Needs a Rugged Phone
Farmers typically work outside. The nature of their work requires frequent exposure to hot weather, noisy environment, and dust. Tough working environments like this one require the use of tough devices.
Regular phones are simply not designed to withstand extreme conditions. One awkward drop is enough for them to stop working, not to mention constant exposure to dust or water.
Farmers should think of rugged phones as long-term investments. Their durability and strength guarantee reliable and consistent performance, regardless of the conditions. Although they may not have the latest smartphone features, rugged phones offer everything a farmer needs: easy communication, simplicity, and robust construction. Another benefit of rugged devices is that they are incredibly easy to clean. After a long day in the field, simply wash your phone with soap and water.
Five Best Mobile Apps for Farmers
Farm21
This app enables you to quickly and easily keep track of and share different data from your farm. You can create water, growth, insect, weed, and other reports and share them with your coworkers or partners.
Farmmee
Farmmee is a mobile app that enables farmers to connect and offer or ask for help. With this app, farmers can make extra money, help coworkers, get competitive bids, and resolve different problems. The app is very easy to use and enables you to plan in real-time or months in advance.
Farm Water Advisor
Farm Water Advisor is an effective irrigation solution that provides reliable data and doesn’t require expensive equipment. The app uses a wide range of data to recommend the best seven-day irrigation schedule for your needs.
DropControl
DropControl helps you keep track of weather and soil moisture conditions and increase the efficiency of irrigation and fertigation systems. It provides a real-time and historical data overview that allows you to make informed decisions and improve yields.
Farmbrite
Farmbrite helps farmers organize daily tasks, share work orders, manage schedules, track task completion, etc. It represents a hub for everything farm-related, from reports on crop production, soil health, or treatments, to notes, updates, photos, and maintenance records.
Top Five Farmer Add-On Accessories
Here are the top five add-on accessories farmers can use:
Bluetooth Earphones
Bluetooth earphones are a must for every farmer. Hands-free usage means you can do something else while talking on the phone. This results in increased productivity and less wasted time.
Cell Phone Holster
If your work uniform doesn’t have pockets, a cell phone holster is an excellent solution. It’s a convenient way to ensure your phone is always near you.
Power Bank
When working long hours in the field with no access to electricity, you need to ensure your phone doesn’t run out of battery. Power banks or portable chargers are designed to maintain your phone’s battery when you’re on the move and are essential for every farmer. From our list, the Cat S62 Pro has the greatest battery life-span: over 72 hours of screen time, and even more with battery-saving mode.
Car Phone Mount
If you’re spending a lot of time in your car, you need to keep your phone close to you and be able to see it at any time. A car phone mount holds your phone in view while allowing you to keep both hands on the wheel.
Memory Card
Memory cards are an excellent way to ensure your phone never runs out of space. Besides being able to store numerous apps, photos, and videos, memory cards can enhance your phone’s performance.
How to Get a Bulk Discount on Rugged Smartphones for Farmers
Farmers often have a team of people they communicate with daily. If you’re buying rugged phones for your team, you can get a bulk discount by reaching out to Energy Electronic. Besides offering great deals, we can help you choose the right model.
Talk to a Technology Expert
With so many options on the market, buying a phone has become quite a task. If you can’t decide, Energy Electronic can help. All you need to do is fill out the contact form, and a team member will reach out to you as soon as possible.
