The best all-round mobile phones

You can do outdoor activities alone, but hardly without the company of a mobile phone. This small, unobtrusive device can help us in many ways: save training data, help with orientation, immortalise unique landscapes thanks to the camera, make emergency calls if necessary? A mobile phone can be used for all this and much more. However, mobile phones are often delicate. To put it bluntly: they are designed for use in the city. If you don't have a case or the screen protected, every knock you give it will affect both its aesthetics and its functioning.

But technology is constantly evolving, and today many mobile phone manufacturers have taken notice of those who spend a lot of time outdoors, in the forest or in bad weather conditions. More and more mobile phones are becoming "ruggedised", popularly known as "all-terrain" phones. Ruggedised comes from the English verb ruggedize, which translates as "strengthen for better resistance to wear, stress and abuse". These mobiles are aimed at a specific profile of people: those who do sport or work in the mountains, countryside or forests. Will you feel comfortable when mountain biking in the rain knowing that the Iphone X you have in your backpack might be getting wet? With the mobiles that we present below, all those doubts and worries will disappear.

The best models.

All the mobiles you will see below are different from conventional mobiles because of their robustness and resistance. However, they all have Internet connectivity and a powerful processor. The list of mobiles you see is ordered from the cheapest to the most expensive.

Blackview BV8000 Pro " 

It is a model that is aesthetically more subtle than the others, and the one that most resembles a conventional mobile phone. However, it is still a model that is specially prepared to be resistant. Like the model described above, it has IP68 protection, but in this case it is not military grade. This makes the phone easier to handle. It is powered by the Mediatek Helio P20 processor, and has a RAM memory of 6GB. The screen is 5 inches and the glass that makes it up is a Gorilla Glass Class 3. The phone has an internal memory of 64GB. This model also has a camera; in this case, it sports a 16 MP Samsung camera. Like all the models we present, this phone has 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity. Currently, you can find the Blackview BV8000 Pro (Click hereick to see) for around 239.99 euros.

Dooge S60 " 

The mobile phone Dooge S60 (Click here to buy) is according to many portals specialised in mobile technology the best all-rounder device. Although its price is somewhat higher, 300 euros, all the features and services it offers are worth it. One of the main features for which this mobile phone stands out is the battery life. This battery can last without being charged for about 3 days. Therefore, if you are one of those adventurers who spend days away from home in remote places far from civilisation, it is a good choice. Moreover, as a good all-rounder, its protections are of the highest level. The case construction is military grade and is both water and dust resistant. Despite its shock and drop resistance and robustness, this device weighs just over 200 grams. In terms of technical features, it is powered by a powerful Mediatek Helio P5 processor. This processor works perfectly, and it is also usually found in conventional high-end mobiles. The screen of this mobile phone is 5.2 inches and has a Full HD resolution. To round off the phone's good features, a 21-megapixel Sony camera is built in.

Blackview BV9000 Pro " 

This device has been leading the sales ranking of ruggedised phones for most of the year, until it has arrived at the Dooge S60 (Click to view). The features of both smartphones are similar, but this model is slightly more expensive. Today it can be purchased for around 370 euros. It has a very durable 5.7-inch glass screen. This means that it is a very large screen. However, even though it is large, it is not very heavy; about 250 grams. Although the casing as a whole is very rugged, it is not military grade, as it is mainly aimed at those who practice mountaineering and adventure sports. As a result, the battery life can last for two to three days under normal use. As with the previous model, this one also has a Mediatek Helio P5 processor, which is powerful enough to handle the most demanding applications smoothly. As a good mountaineer's phone, it has built-in GPS and a compass.

Ulefone Armor 3 and 5". 

You can find this all-rounder smartphone for around 220 euros. This phone has a 5.7-inch screen, with Gorilla Glass 5. Its outer protections are military-grade certified, so the casing is built with reliable materials, and is prepared to withstand all kinds of shocks. In addition, the case is also designed to protect the phone from high temperature vapours. Adding all these protections to the size of the phone's battery, it can be said that the device is quite heavy, weighing more than 300 grams. In terms of technical details, it is powered by a Mediatek Helio P23 processor, and has a RAM memory of 4GB. This Ulefone (Click to view) also has a camera, and a very good quality one at that. This model is equipped with a 21 megapixel camera that gives a fantastic result. On the other hand, the phone also has GPS, barometer, heart rate monitor, compass... making it a good choice for outdoor sports activities.

Advantages and disadvantages

The special preparation and design to make these phones more resistant and improve their durability makes them unique models, and consequently, they have their advantages and disadvantages. The following are some of the major advantages offered by these "all-rounder" mobiles:

• Heavy-duty housingsWith these phones there is no need for an additional protective casing. The materials that make up these mobiles are sufficiently prepared to withstand shocks. For example, if you go downhill mountain biking, it is possible that your mobile phone will suffer a few knocks and bumps. The "rugged" mobiles are prepared for this.

• Extra-strong glassThe screens of these smartphones are properly prepared for scratches and bumps. They are usually very resistant and will not break at the first blow.

• Affordable priceAlthough the demand for such devices has led to more advanced models being produced, most of these phones can be bought for between 150 and 300 euros. A conventional lower-mid-range mobile phone is currently priced in this range, and its performance is likely to be weaker.

However, as these phones are more about ruggedness than aesthetics or technical performance, they also have certain disadvantages:

• Not very sophisticated aestheticsThe ruggedness of these mobiles can make them look rather unattractive. However, that is not their primary manufacturing purpose. Moreover, although much progress is being made, they can be slightly heavy.

• Technical specifications not very advancedCompared to conventional mobiles, they are not very advanced, and do not offer the most advanced services.

If you balance the advantages and disadvantages, the advantages are the winners, as long as you give the profile that these mobiles are aimed at. Below, we will show you some of the most successful mobiles on the market.

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 20/06/2019.