Construction sites are dangerous places for smartphones, unless you pick the best and most durable model.

Based on the number of smartphones you see with spiderweb-cracked screens, you might think every model out there was an expensive and fragile waste of money, particularly if you're active on a jobsite. Drops and bumps, water sprays, dust, extreme temperatures, and vibrations are all threats to an otherwise essential technology tool.

Luckily, not all smartphones are delicate flowers. There are strong options available for construction contractors, engineers and skilled tradespeople who cannot afford to compromise on ruggedness. Whether you need something weatherproof, impact-resistant, optimized for multimedia, ready for collaborative projects or all of the above, you just need to know where to look.

What makes a smartphone rugged?

To call a phone rugged, not to mention waterproof or water-resistant, it should have a variety of certifications to its name. That means a third party has conducted tests to prove whether the device can withstand some pretty serious abuse. There are generally two types of these certifications: IP and MIL-STD.

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating on a smartphone is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission, which determines if a device performs after exposure to dirt, dust and water. The ratings for dirt range from 1 to 6, and 1 to 8 for water. The max rating for particulates would be IP6, and a max rating for liquid would be IP8. That would mean an IP68 phone is completely resistant to dirt damage and can be left underwater indefinitely, at a depth determined by the manufacturer.


The MIL-STD (Military Standard) specs are set by various arms of the U.S. Military and Department of Defense. The numbers associated with MIL-STD indicate far more than just protection from water and dust. For instance, MIL-STD-810Gs certifies that something can withstand nuclear radiation, drops onto concrete, and exposure to rapid freezing or heat. These certifications can be much more nuanced, but most commonly in rugged smartphones, you'll note they are listed under an umbrella designation of MIL-STD-810G, which has a number of subcategories.

It is worth noting that a smartphone lacking one of these certifications may still be able to take a beating. For instance, companies such as Panasonic and Xplore are more focused on making sure their devices can be dropped than they are on them being able to handle really